Engineering Aspects of State Estimation for Real-Time Use

Focus of this chapter is on engineering aspects of State Estimation (SE). The two engineering aspects covered in the chapter are on engineering a product around the core SE algorithm for practical use and the engineering tasks involved in using the state estimator product in a control center. The chapter delves into the transformation process of a state estimation algorithm initially developed within a University/Research lab, evolving it into a practical State Estimator (SE) tool for real-time application in a control center—central to monitoring and controlling electric grid operations. The discussion extends providing insights into the engineering tasks essential for supporting the SE tool in a live production environment within a control center. Though state estimator was not intended to provide direct support to control room operations, while being the center piece for many control room tools which help making decisions, over years it had assumed a few functions of direct operational support. These are briefly described.