Method and system for locating the source of events in power distribution systems using distribution-level PMU data

A method and system is disclosed for identifying a location of an event in a power distribution network. The method includes receiving voltage and current flowing downstream and upstream of the distribution feeder from at least two distribution-level phasor measurement units (PMUs) installed on a distribution feeder in the power distribution network; calculating changes in forward nodal voltages along the distribution feeder using measurements from at least one PMU of the at least two distribution-level PMUs; calculating changes in backward nodal voltages along the distribution feeder using the measurements from another PMU of the at least two distribution-level PMUs; comparing the calculated changes in the forward nodal voltages to the calculated changes in the backward nodal voltages; and determining the location of the event based on the comparison of the calculated changes of the forward nodal voltages to the calculated changes backward nodal voltages.