Optimal arrangement of spread automated centers for electrical distribution systems

This paper deals with a method which allows determination of both the number and the position of the distribution centers to be automated in a distribution network. The optimisation criterion takes into account both the requirements of the customer and of the supplier, on a cost-benefit basis. In fact, the costs are borne by the supplier while the benefits are mainly in favour of the customer. We assume it is worth investing in quality improvement when costs are less than the benefits gained by the final customer. Our evaluation of the benefits refers to the reduction of unsupplied energy, whose unitary cost has been the object of a specific investigation. On the basis of the proposed method an algorithm was developed, which at the same time takes into account the electrical performances of the distribution system, lengths and kind of the lines (aerial, underground), and different reliability parameters (failure rates, fault searching times, repair times, etc.). An example of application of the method proposed is reported in the paper