On the Observability of Smart Grids and Related Optimization Methods

Management of energy systems is one of the biggest challenges of our time. The daily demand for energy increases constantly for many reasons. Moreover, the wide use of renewable energies, aimed at limiting polluting emissions, can create instability in the networks and uncertainty in energy production. In this context, Operational Research is a crucial tool that allows optimizing strategic, tactical, and operational decisions to be taken. We focus on a strategic problem in smart grids, the phasor measurement units placement. The aim is to make the grid observable, i.e., to install devices that can communicate the status of the grid. Being able to observe it allows the grid manager to improve efficiency. We introduce and compare several mathematical optimization formulations proposed in the literature.