Distribution feeder reconfiguration for loss minimization using evolution strategies

Reducing energy losses in power distribution systems is important. Besides reduced energy losses, the economic benefits resulting from loss minimizati on include released generation, transmission and substation capacity, and d eferral or elimination of system expansion. Reducing losses also leads to r educed feeder voltage drop and consequently improved voltage regulation. On e method of minimizing losses is to use existing switches to reconfigure th e distribution network to achieve minimum losses. However, the problem is a nonlinear programming problem that presents a heavy computational burden f or even a moderately-sized distribution system. This paper investigates the application of evolution strategies to the problem of distribution feeder reconfiguration for loss minimization. The principles of evolution strategi es are discussed, and a model proposed. The success of the method is demons trated through computer simulations.