Data compression in smart distribution systems via singular value decomposition

Electrical distribution systems have been experiencing many changes in recent times. Advances in metering system infrastructure and the deployment of a large number of smart meters in the grid will produce a big volume of data that will be required for many different applications. Despite the significant investments taking place in the communications infrastructure, this remains a bottleneck for the implementation of some applications. This paper presents a methodology for lossy data compression in smart distribution systems using the singular value decomposition technique. The proposed method is capable of significantly reducing the volume of data to be transmitted through the communications network and accurately reconstructing the original data. These features are illustrated by results from tests carried out using real data collected from metering devices at many different substations