A methodology based on situational awareness for diagnosing the operation of active distribution systems

The increasing penetration of distributed generation adds variability and uncertainty to modern Distribution Systems (DSs), posing challenges to their safe operation and complicating the identification of the network’s operating state. Methods that enable Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to plan and manage the grid more effectively, considering the variability of renewable energy sources, are becoming increasingly urgent. In this context, a method based on Situational Awareness (SA) is proposed to assist decision-making by evaluating operational security, power quality, and network performance. SA enables a broader and more dynamic assessment of the system by integrating multiple indices, going beyond traditional monitoring, which focuses primarily on limit violations. The objective is to enhance event perception in the network by accurately identifying its operating state, enabling the implementation of control actions aligned with DSO objectives. The proposed method relies on three levels of SA: perception, comprehension, and projection. At the perception stage, indices are defined to characterize the network’s operating conditions. In the comprehension stage, fuzzy logic processes and synthesizes these indices, establishing metrics for system performance, power quality, and security. Finally, corrective actions are supported by a graphical visualization tool that aids in projecting the network’s operational state. Results from case studies conducted on the IEEE 34-bus test system illustrate the methodology’s effectiveness. For instance, the same operational scenario exhibited performance, security, and power quality levels of 12.11%, 80.28%, and 63.45%, respectively, where 100% represents an optimal state. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive assessment, as significant variability can occur across metrics even under identical conditions. Unlike traditional methods, the proposed approach integrates diverse aspects of system operation, offering a holistic evaluation of the network’s state.