Electrical principles of verification of the topological structure of a low-voltage distribution network based on voltage from an Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Abstract

Topology verification supports effective management, loss reduction, and energy conservation strategies in low-voltage distribution networks across China. Of particular interest is the users-transformer connectivity relationship. Existing research shows that voltage profile similarity based on voltage data from the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) can determine the users-transformer connectivity relationship in a neighbourhood. This article analyses the electrical principles of the users-transformer connectivity relationship based on the similarity of voltage profiles and voltage data from the AMI and derives appropriate formulas that express those relationships. The results demonstrate that voltage profile similarity is not only related to electrical distance but also related to user load profiles. The validity of the derived formulas is validated in two scenarios: a correct relationship between a user and a transformer and a partial misjudgement between a user and a transformer. This article presents a theoretical foundation for analysing the connectivity relationship in low-voltage distribution networks using voltage data from AMI.

Keywords

• distribution networks
• power engineering computing
• energy conservation
• smart power grids
• smart meters
• power transformers
• electrical principles
• low-voltage distribution network
• topology verification
• users-transformer connectivity relationship
• voltage profile similarity
• voltage data
• user load profiles
• advanced metering infrastructure
• ami