Allocation of remotely controlled switches for reliability assessment in distribution networks

The use of an effective methodology for allocating remotely controlled switches is important for the utilities, since that procedure is closely related to the restoration time and consequently associated with reliability index. This kind of solution is not easy to deal with due to its multi-criteria, combinatorial nature and the difficult mathematical modelling. This paper deals with the developing of computer algorithms to address the remotely controlled switch allocation problem with multiple objectives using an analytic hierarchical process (AHP), in order to improve the reliability index of the distribution systems. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated with case studies involving actual systems of the AES Sul utility located in South of Brazil.