Distribution state estimation: A necessary requirement for the smart grid

State estimation problems for distribution networks differ from classical state estimation ones. The limited number of measurements makes the problem mathematically underdetermined without the addition of pseudo-measurements. Issues associated with the connection of distributed resources and control efficiency have led to the requirement for greater observability of power networks, but this has to be balanced against the cost of additional measurement and telemetry, including possible redundancy. The impact of estimating accurately the system state is examined in the context of transversal voltage control.