Distribution network reconfiguration of radial distribution systems for power loss minimization using improved harmony search algorithm

Abstract

With increase in industrial development, sub urbanization, and population growth, the energy demand is continuously increasing year by year. This excessive power demand has put a strain on the distribution network thus causing increased power losses (I2R) due to flow of electric current. It therefore becomes highly important to minimize power losses at distribution level in order toemaximize the operational efficiencyeof distributionl utilities. Network reconfiguration is one offthe effective way that has been used by the distribution utilities for distribution system loss minimization. In thisipaper, an ImprovediHarmonyiSearch Algorithm (IHSA) inspired from musician’s performance is presented to solveSnetwork reconfiguration problem with an objective torminimize distribution system power loss. The IEEE – 69ibus andiIEEE – 119ibus radial distribution networks haveibeen used toidemonstrate the efficacyrof therproposed method. The obtained simulation test results demonstrated that proposed IHSA achieved better quality of solutions and can be a promising and efficient optimization technique for solving distribution network reconfiguration problems.