Maintenance Crew Placement for Reliable Distribution Network: Using "Geographic Information Systems"

Faults in energy systems and short-term or long-term loss of electricity are inevitable. Fixing the system and energizing distribution network afterward is a time consuming process. While the system is not online, the "energy not supplied" is increased. This event can cause the system to operate in non-reliable condition and endure damages and expenses, to both consumers and utilities. In this paper, a simple method is developed and discussed for decreasing the duration of the system restoration process by optimal placement of maintenance crews. To assign the locations, the effects of environmental phenomena, economical and technical constrains are considered. This method is used to determine the optimal locations for establishment of crews in Mahneshan County of Zanjan/Iran province.