Switch and Tap-Changer Reconfiguration of Distribution Networks Using Evolutionary Algorithms

Abstract

The reconfiguration of distribution networks is an important combinatorial problem. This work addresses the particular case of reconfiguration after an outage caused by the loss of a single branch of the network. The reconfiguration is carried out over two domains simultaneously: re-switching strategies and transformer tap-changer adjustments. The approach was tested using a real large-scale network within the concession area of Energy Australia. The model considers four operational elements: an AC power flow model, the network's radial topology when operating, voltage limits and load limits. Two evolutionary algorithms were implemented and tested. The first was a genetic algorithm, applied ..