Power Network Fault Location with Exact Distributed Parameter Line Model and Sparse Estimation

In this paper, an improved fault location method with exact distributed parameter line model and sparse estimation is proposed for power networks. Compared to existing sparse estimation based fault location methods that typically use linear impedance line models, the proposed method fully models the distributed parameter characteristics of the line, resulting in a nonlinear formulation of the problem. The paper proves that the idea of sparse equivalent bus current injection still holds even for the proposed nonlinear formulation of the problem and derives the expression of faulted line section and fault location. The proposed method works for faults within two- or three-terminal lines of a power network, and only requires limited PMU placement. Extensive numerical experiments with different fault types, impedances, and locations prove that the proposed method demonstrates higher fault location accuracy than the existing sparse estimation based fault location method.