Methodologies for load and generation disaggregation in distribution systems through the utilization of smart meters

Abstract

The MSc project proposes to assess practical methodologies for load and generation disaggregation in distribution systems through the utilization of smart meters. In electric energy compensation systems (net metering), in which a single meter is utilized per customer, i.e., there is no separated meters for load and generation to reduce the costs (e.g., in Brazil), the information given to utilities is the net power curve of each customer. This type of generation connection is known as behind-the-meter. Therefore, there are difficulties to determine the installed capacity of distributed generation and the customer power consumption separately, turning tasks as system expansion planning, power demand prediction, losses analysis (technical and non-technical) and even the viability of new distributed generators more complex. Additionally, errors can occur in the utility database, since the large amount of generation connection requisitions can lead to mistakes during the data registration process, e.g., incorrect values of distributed generators capacities. From the customer perspective, load and generation disaggregation enables non-intrusive monitoring of the generator performance, facilitating, in the case of photovoltaic systems, the detection of internal defects, the necessity to clean the solar panels, non-predicted shading and even the inoperancy of the whole photovoltaic system.With that in mind, methodologies for load and generation disaggregation in distribution systems are necessary. The methodologies will be developed from both utility and customer perspectives through the utilization of synthetic and real data of circuits, power consumption and generation. Meteorological, irradiance and temperature data can also be used to assist the disaggregation process. Finally, those different approaches combined with the limited literature on this topic suggests that the papers resulting from the proposed research have the potential to be published on international journals and conferences.