Using Multiple DGs for Distribution System Service Restoration after Extreme Events

Distributed generators (DGs) can be used to restore critical loads on distribution feeders after a major blackout due to extreme events, such as hurricanes, to enhance resilience. This paper proposes a decision-making method for service restoration to critical loads using multiple DGs. The critical load restoration problem is formulated as a relaxed mixed-integer second-order cone program (MISOCP), which can be solved readily using off-the-shelf optimization tools. The proposed method determines the post-restoration topology, critical loads to be restored, and the power outputs of DGs. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by numerical simulation on a 32-node test network.