Distribution System State Estimation: A Primer for Application Based Research

Not surprisingly, distribution system state estimation (DSSE) has become a hot topic with increasing levels of customer owned/operated distributed energy resources (DER) and utilities investing in more distribution automation (DA) schemes for improved operations, protection and reliability. Recent research in DSSE has largely focused on the methods of calculating the state estimate while neglecting the use or application of the tool set. Nearly all modern distribution management system (DMS) vendors offer a stable and reliable DSSE solution. Applications specific to DSSE are presented along with the different challenges for formulating and applying DSSE compared to more traditional bulk system state estimation and power flows. This paper is not intended to be a review document, but a primer for the application and development of how best to apply DSSE to the operation of electric distribution systems.