Title :
Optimization applications to power distribution
Author :
Willis, H. Lee ; Tram, Hahn ; Engel, Michael V. ; Finley, Linda
Author_Institution :
ABB Distr. Technol. Center, Cary, NC, USA
fDate :
10/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
An electric utility´s power distribution system can account for up to 60 percent of capital budget and 20 percent of operating costs, making it a significant expense. Minimizing the cost of the distribution system can be a considerable challenge, as the feeder system associated with only a single substation may present a distribution designer with thousands of feasible design options from which to choose. Finding the overall least-cost plan for the distribution system associated with several neighboring substations can be a truly daunting task. For these reasons, the use of computer-aided tools that help identify the lowest cost distribution configuration has been a focus of much R&D work in the last 3 decades, producing a number of computerized optimization programs that can be viewed from the user´s standpoint as tools to help find the best design from among those many possibilities
Keywords :
distribution networks; economics; optimisation; power system CAD; power system analysis computing; power system planning; substations; applications; computer-aided tools; design options; distribution configuration; electric utility; feeder system; least-cost plan; optimization; power distribution system; substation; Conductors; Cost function; Design optimization; Distributed computing; Guidelines; Home computing; Marketing and sales; Power distribution; Power generation economics; Substations;
Journal_Title :
Computer Applications in Power, IEEE