Phasor Measurement Unit Optimal Allocation Utilizing Discrete Water Cycle Optimization

The Wide Area Monitoring System (WAMS) is an effective monitoring system that must be used in the electricity system due to the ever-increasing issues it faces. Considering that Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) can deliver synchronized Phasor Measurement Units of voltages and currents in real-time at widely various locations is important. This paper studies the optimal allocation of PMUs in order to achieve a fully operable system utilizing Discrete Water Cycle Optimization (DWCO) with minimal number of PMUs and initial investment. In radial power systems the PMUs allocation can be applied directly. On the other hand, PMUs allocation on power system mesh, loop network needs some prearrangement before starting the process. One of the mythologies, which can be used in preparing the system is the tree search method using shortest path. The PMUs optimal allocation takes place utilizing two different methodologies which are tree search method with shortest path and discrete water cycle algorithm. These algorithms were tested on IEEE-14 and IEEE-30. As the PMUs number is reduced, the data capacity will be reduced. The models’ results are satisfied specially for Water Cycle Optimization.