Tracking Network Topology Processor Using Node-depth Representation

This paper proposes a tracking network topology processor (NTP) for state estimation purposes. The proposed NTP uses a new tree encoding named node-depth representation (NDR), which enables a straightforward access to each one of its nodes and can adequately represent a graph forest and efficiently perform forest modifications. Using the NDR structure, the proposed NTP can track over time the changes of the network connectivity and assign metering devices in a very direct and fast way. Representing both bus-sections and network buses as nodes of a graph, the proposed NTP processes substation and network configuration in a fast way. Examples were presented to show how the proposed NTP works. The results of several tests have shown the proposed NTP is reliable, fast and suitable for real-time operation.