Multi-objective optimal PMU placement using a non-dominated sorting differential evolution algorithm

Phasor measurement unit plays a great role in wide-area measurement system (WAMS) in power system. Based on analysis of observability of each bus while one of PMUs fails and under the precondition of full network observability, this paper presents a multi-objective optimal model of PMU placement with the objectives of minimization of the number of PMU and maximization of the N − 1 measurement reliability. A new NSDE algorithm, which is an organic integration of Pareto non-dominated sorting operation and differential evolution algorithm, is designed for the model. It improved individual crowding mechanism and mutation strategy effectively. Illustrative results on the 14- and 39-bus IEEE systems are presented to show the superiorities of this algorithm.