A general formulation of the feeder reconfiguration problem for loss reduction and load balancing is given, and a novel solution method is presented. The solution uses a search over different radial configurations created by considering switchings of the branch exchange type. To guide the search, two different power flow approximation methods with varying degrees of accuracy have been developed and tested. The methods are used to calculate the new power flow in the system after a branch exchange and they make use of the power flow equations developed for radial distribution systems. Both accuracy analysis and the test results show that estimation methods can be used in searches to reconfigure a given system even if the system is not well compensated and reconfiguring involves load transfer between different substations. For load balancing, a load balance index is defined and it is shown that the search and power flow estimation methods developed for power loss reduction can also be used for load balancing since the two problems are similar. >

Network reconfiguration in distribution systems for loss reduction and load balancing

The authors describe a heuristic method for the reconfiguration of distribution networks in order to reduce their resistive line losses under normal operating conditions. The proposed approach is characterized by convergence to the optimum or a near-optimum solution and the independence of the final solution from the initial status of the network switches. The methodology has been implemented in a production-grade computer program, DISTOP (Distribution Network Optimization). The compensation-based power flow technique developed at Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the efficient solution of weakly meshed distribution networks is an essential part of this loss reduction methodology. Important implementation aspects of the methodology and the results of its application to several realistic distribution networks are presented. Numerous test results have indicated that the proposed technique is computationally robust and efficient and, hence, suitable for both planning and operations studies. >

Reconfiguration of electric distribution networks for resistive line losses reduction

This paper presents a new method to solve the network reconfiguration problem in the presence of distributed generation (DG) with an objective of minimizing real power loss and improving voltage profile in distribution system. A meta heuristic Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA) is used to simultaneously reconfigure and identify the optimal locations for installation of DG units in a distribution network. Sensitivity analysis is used to identify optimal location s for installation of DG units. Different scenarios of DG placement and reconfiguration of network are considered to study the performance of the proposed method. The constraints of voltage and branch current carrying capacity are included in the evaluation of the objective function. The method has been tested on 33-bus and 69-bus radial distribution systems at three different load levels to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method. The results obtained are encouraging.

Power Loss Minimization in Distribution System Using Network Reconfiguration in the Presence of Distributed Generation

This paper proposes a mixed-integer conic programming formulation for the minimum loss distribution network reconfiguration problem. This formulation has two features: first, it employs a convex representation of the network model which is based on the conic quadratic format of the power flow equations and second, it optimizes the exact value of the network losses. The use of a convex model in terms of the continuous variables is particularly important because it ensures that an optimal solution obtained by a branch-and-cut algorithm for mixed-integer conic programming is global. In addition, good quality solutions with a relaxed optimality gap can be very efficiently obtained. A polyhedral approximation which is amenable to solution via more widely available mixed-integer linear programming software is also presented. Numerical results on practical test networks including distributed generation show that mixed-integer convex optimization is an effective tool for network reconfiguration.

Minimum Loss Network Reconfiguration Using Mixed-Integer Convex Programming

This paper presents an algorithm for network reconfiguration based on the heuristic rules and fuzzy multiobjective approach. Multiple objectives are considered for load balancing among the feeders and also to minimize the real power loss, deviation of nodes voltage, and branch current constraint violation, while subject to a radial network structure in which all loads must be energized. These four objectives are modeled with fuzzy sets to evaluate their imprecise nature and one can provide his or her anticipated value of each objective. Heuristic rules are also incorporated in the algorithm for minimizing the number of tie-switch operations. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through an example.

Merlin A

Papers

Search for a minimal-loss operating spanning tree configuration in an urban power distribution system.