Optimal placement of PMUs with limited number of channels

This paper proposes an approach for optimal placement of phasor measurement units (PMUs). It takes into account the availability of PMU measuring channels, and possible system contingencies like single measurement or branch outage. In order to solve the optimization problem, cellular genetic algorithm is applied. The proposed approach is demonstrated on an example, and comparative results are given for the IEEE standard test systems. According to the presented results, the proposed approach gives globally optimal solutions with additional savings with respect to available techniques.

► We propose the approach for optimal placement of PMUs.
► The availability of PMU channels is considered.
► Cellular genetic algorithm is employed as the optimization tool.
► Case studies confirm the quality and savings in the derived solutions.
► Taking into account PMU channel availability leads to decrease in the cost of the optimal solution.