State estimation for a power system using parameterized potential functions for inequality constraints

Abstract

Prior methods of state estimation rely on penalty-based heuristics to enforce inequality constraints, which can produce very large weight values, resulting in ill-conditioning of the gain matrix. Disclosed embodiments of state estimation convert the inequality-constrained optimization problem into an unconstrained optimization problem in which violated inequality constraints are represented as parameterized potential functions, each comprising a center-of-attraction parameter. This unconstrained convex optimization problem can be iteratively prepared, using successively updated values for the center-of-attraction parameters, and solved, until no inequality constraints are violated, to produce a final estimated state. This final estimated state may then be used to control the system being monitored, such as a power system.