Optimal placement of automation devices in Enel distribution network

This paper presents the method used by Enel Distribuzione to find the optimal location and number of automation devices in the MV network, taking into account technical and economical constraints. With this method, it is possible to optimize a single feeder or the entire distribution network with low computational effort. In order to avoid the exponential rise of the calculations due to the increase of the studied network, the optimization procedure uses a specific decomposition of the electrical network in elementary parts. This method has been used for one year by Enel planners and contributed to the effectiveness of automation of the entire MV distribution network.