A new approach of distribution system reconfiguration for loss minimization

Feeder reconfiguration for loss minimization is a network optimization prob lem and the solution for the problem involves a search over the configurati on. This paper presents a systematic feeder reconfiguration technique that develops an optimal switching scheme to achieve a maximum reduction of loss es in a distribution network. The technique restructures the distribution f eeders by changing the open/closed status of the sectionalizing and tie swi tches. A minimal tree-search is proposed in this paper to find the possible switching-options for loss reduction. A loss change formula has been deriv ed and used to determine the switching option that gives the maximum loss r eduction in the system. The proposed technique can identify the most effect ive switching-options for loss reduction, and can achieve minimum loss conf iguration with minimum computational effort. The performance of the propose d technique is tested on a 33-bus system and the results are compared with that of Baran and Wu's method [Baran ME, Wu FF. Network reconfiguration in distribution systems for loss reduction and load balancing.IEEE Trans. Powe r Delivery, 1989;4(2):1401-1407]. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.