Supply cost minimization for distribution systems with multi-cost multi-point supply through network reconfiguration

This paper develops an algorithm for reconfiguring distribution systems having multiple supply points with different nodal prices, to minimize total supply costs subject to a system loss limit. The method starts from a fully meshed configuration followed by a series of linear economic dispatch runs to find optimal supply mix. The supply optimization terminates when the system loss level is reached, after which, a heuristic based switch opening procedure is performed. The system loss is modeled as a linear combination of power injections whose coefficients vary for every economic dispatch run and switch-opening in the system. The solution is reached when no electrical loops exist in the distribution network. Results for an actual test system are also presented.