Power distribution network planning application based on multi-objective binary particle swarm optimization algorithm

Abstract

Power distribution networks are the most susceptible sector of the whole electric grid in terms of reliability. Failures along the lines cause the disconnection of a great number of customers what have an immediate impact on quality and security indices. Innovations capable to mitigate impacts or improve reliability are ever pursued by the electric utilities. In view of that, the planning of the modern distribution networks must consider the installation of switches along the network as an important procedure to isolate failures reducing the impact and the number of customers not supplied. However, the complexity and the dimension of the current distribution networks, makes the task of proper allocation of switches strongly dependent on the expertise of engineers. This paper proposes an application based on a Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm that determines the suitable placement and a feasible number of switches on the power distribution networks in order to minimize the number of customers affected by faults. Detailed information about the algorithm and its application in a test distribution system is presented. The effectiveness of the algorithm is presented in a case study applied to the IEEE 123-Node Test Feeder. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.