DISTRIBUTION FEEDER RECONFIGURATION FOR OPERATION COST REDUCTION

This paper describes a new feeder reconfiguration algorithm for the pu rpose of reducing the operating cost in the real-rime operation enviro nment. The methodology developed is a heuristic based approach. It emp hasizes on minimizing the cost of operation over a specified time peri od rather than a fixed operating point. The practical operating concer ns of feeder reconfiguration and the coordination with other distribut ion automation applications are also addressed. The developed algorith m has been implemented as a production grade software. Test results on PG&E distribution feeders show that the performance of this software is efficient and robust.