Reconfiguration of electric distribution networks for energy losses reduction

An efficient radial distribution network reconfiguration method for minimization of energy losses over intervals of time is presented in this paper. In order to develop a simple and general method to solve the problem of network dynamic reconfiguration, the concept of system state characterization and its relevant applications are introduced in this paper, in which the computational effort required by traditional optimization method is decreased greatly through some appropriate linearization and stepwise correction techniques. The proposed method is based on loop-analysis theory and superimpose theorem, in which the objective is to minimize energy loss while keeping the feeder voltage profile within pre-specified limits. A case study of IEEE-33 bus system demonstrates the rationality and validity of strategies proposed in this paper, and the results illustrate that the proposed approach has a substantial reduction in computational expense while maintaining a high level of accuracy.