Application of Differential Evolution Algorithm for Substation Expansion Planning Problem of Tamil Nadu—A Real-Time Investigation

Abstract

In general, power system expansion planning can be classified into three types such as generation expansion planning (GEP), transmission expansion planning (TEP) and distribution system expansion planning (DEP). Several researches have been performed in GEP and TEP. But, a huge research gap is still available in the topic of DEP. DEP can be classified into two optimization problems, namely substation expansion planning (SEP) and optimal feeder routing. This study attempts to solve real-time SEP problem for the power sector of Tamil Nadu, a state in India. Due to several design variables, the grouping of discrete and continuous variables frames the SEP problem as complicated. Hence, a promising optimization algorithm is essential to solve this complicated problem. The application of differential evolution (DE) algorithm has been presented to obtain the results with the sizes and sites of both the existing and proposed substations (SS) by satisfying the subjected constraints.