On optimization of reliability of distributed generation-enhanced feeders

Placement of protection devices in a conventional feeder (without distributed generation) is often performed so as to minimize traditional reliability indices (SAIDI, SAIFI, MAIFIe...), assuming the sole source(s) of energy at substation(s). Distributed generation (DG) and storage units located on the feeder may be constrained in terms of power and/or energy capacity, and may include renewable DG units whose output is dependent on the meteorological conditions. Those sources may reduce the number of faults and/or fault durations for customers residing within their protection zones, thus increasing the reliability of service. We propose a procedure for finding optimal recloser positions on the feeder equipped with power constrained distributed generators, using a specially tailored genetic algorithm.