Reconfiguration of radial distribution networks with distributed generation for reliability improvement and loss minimization

With the advancements in the communication and information technology, electric utilities are able to achieve distribution automation. One of its important applications is network reconfiguration. A methodology for the reconfiguration of radial distribution networks with Distributed Generation (DG) considering reliability and power loss is proposed in this paper under normal operating conditions. Initially a pseudo code based tie-switch placement is carried out at end nodes taking geographical constraints and then preceded by siting and sizing of DG at the tie-switch locations using optimization technique. Before system reconfiguration, tie-switches will be in open position. Reliability at load points is calculated using probabilistic reliability models. Dynamic programming is used for finding the minimal cutsets from supply to the load. A search algorithm has been formulated for the reconfiguration problem, considering tie-switches and DGs for loss minimization and reliability improvement meeting load requirement, power balance equations and voltage limits. The proposed methodology has been tested on 33-node and 69-node test distribution systems.