Power system reconfiguration based on Prim's algorithm

The distribution network can undergo outages, during which the supply of power is either partially or completely isolated from distribution network to the load centres. To achieve minimum deficit of power supply, proper switching of power lines is required. The power flow path identification in the network is the complicated task of the distribution operators. Based on the survey the papers published have always used some predefined rules in identifying the power flow path, sometimes it may lead to cascaded outage. Hence the identification of the path was the major drawback of other proposed methodologies. The scope of the proposed work is to find the path using Prim's algorithm for a power distribution network. The algorithm is used here because it provides a path which consists of all the possible buses through which the power will flow. A computer program has been, developed for planning and operation in service restoration of distribution network. The validity of this new approach has been tested on 16 bus IEEE Power Distribution System. The results obtained have reduced the losses considerably without using any optimization techniques and the amount of load shed is less when compared to the reference papers.