This paper proposes a method to estimate the inertia constant of synchronous generators (SGs) and the virtual inertia provided by converter-interfaced generators (CIGs). It can be applied when the system is under normal operating conditions or after power imbalance events. The algorithm is based on a recursive system identification approach and uses the active power and bus frequency measurements proceeding from phasor measurement units. The measurements are preprocessed to improve the estimation accuracy. Subsequently, a model-independent rotor speed estimator is used to compute rotor speed variations (or internal frequency variations, in the case of CIGs). Afterwards, a recursive least-square equation error formulation is implemented to compute the SG and CIG parameters in the z-domain, which are later converted into their respective counterparts in the s-domain. The method is applied to several generation devices in the IEEE 39-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems, including traditional SGs and CIGs providing virtual inertia. Numerical results show the accuracy and the low computational burden of the proposed method.

This paper proposes a fast topology identification method to avoid estimation errors caused by network topology changes. The algorithm applies a deep neural network to determine the switching state of the branches that are relevant for the execution of a dynamic state estimator. The proposed technique only requires data from the phasor measurement units (PMUs) that are used by the dynamic state estimator. The proposed methodology is demonstrated working in conjunction with a frequency divider-based synchronous machine rotor speed estimator. A centralized and a decentralized approach are proposed using a modified version of the New England test system and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 118-bus test system, respectively. The numerical results in both test systems show that the method demonstrate the reliability and the low computational burden of the proposed algorithm. The method achieves a satisfactory speed, the decentralized approach simplifies the training process and the algorithm proves to be robust in the face of wrong input data.