Abstract-This paper presents a non-invasive approach for real-time grid impedance identification based on the principle of instantaneous frequency tracking of voltage and current harmonics already present in the system, by the use of Kalman Filter (KF). The KF based technique is compared to the FFT frequency domain approach highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The main limitation of the KFbased identification lies in its intrinsic model based nature, which in this case will limit its scope to the system steady state and to stationary signals. The KF based approach presented in this paper, can be useful as a basis for real-time grid stability assessment based on the impedance identification.
I. INTRODUCTIONKnowledge of the source and load impedances in an electrical grid is essential to estimate the stability of the grid using the impedance-based method with the generalized Nyquist stability criterion, first described in [1], with an application for AC systems in [2]. The impedance-based method requires, however, the injection of small signals in a wide range of frequencies to obtain a good estimate of the stability of the grid. This frequency scanning technique does not allow for a real-time estimation of the impedances and stability. The real-time identification of the impedances of the grid can be relevant considering the non-stationary environment where the impedance may vary with the operating conditions and with parameter variations over time [3]. This paper is proposing a non-invasive method to identify the impedances of the grid based on the use of the information of the distortions already present in the current and voltage waveforms, without resorting to any small-signal injection.Modern electrical systems are including more and more non-linear loads that are a frequent source of harmonic distortions. Electrical grids that are already affected by distorted voltages and currents can readily benefit from a non-invasive approach of impedance identification that makes use of the information provided by such distortions and can lead to a straightforward grid stability assessment in time-domain. The tracking, at a given node, of each of the harmonic components present in the voltage and current, can enable the identification of the grid impedances in a non-invasive way, by simply calculating the ratio V (ω)/I(ω) = Z(ω) at each harmonic distortion.