A novel heuristic method for distribution system planning

Numerous mathematical optimization methods have been used to obtain the opt imal solution to the problem of distribution system planning, which often a re time consuming and only restricted to small size distribution systems. I n this paper. a novel heuristic method is developed to solve the problem of distribution system planning. The method is composed of three steps. First of all. an initial redundant network is formed by combining the existing n etwork and tile probable new additions. A new efficient two-stage load flow method is presented and integrated Into a recursive process to determine t he optimal combination of substations and derive their service areas. Secon dly, a heuristic approach is used to obtain the radial network configuratio n of each substation. Finally, an algorithm. based on, branch exchange tech nique is implemented between elements of adjacent distribution zones to obt ain the final planning scheme. A distribution. system with 6 substations an d 98 feeders is studied. which demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method.