An efficient algorithm for real-time network reconfiguration in large scale unbalanced distribution systems

Real-time applications demand fast computation, and this paper proposes an efficient algorithm for real-time network reconfiguration on large unbalanced distribution networks. A novel formulation of the network reconfiguration to achieve loss minimization and load balancing is given. To reduce computational requirements for the solution algorithm, well justified power flow and loss reduction formulae in terms of the on/off status of network switches are proposed for efficient system updating. The algorithm relies only on a few full power flow studies based on system states attained by explicit expressions using backward-forward sweeps for efficient computation of power system states at the critical system operating points. The solution algorithm runs in an amount of time linearly proportional to the number of tie switches and the number of sectionalizing switches in the system. The solution algorithm has been implemented into a software package and tested on unbalanced distribution systems including a system with 292 buses, 76 laterals, 7 transformers, 45 switches and 255 line sections under diverse system conditions.