Distribution network reconfiguration for loss reduction

This paper discusses the reduction of real power loss in the distribution system by reconfiguration of the distribution network. Reconfiguration is done by changing the status of the sectionalizing and tie switches. The optimal configuration with minimum real power loss is to be determined. First, the configuration is determined manually and to overcome its limitations, Genetic algorithm (GA) technique is used to determine the optimal configuration. To further reduce the losses, Distributed Generation (DG) is added to the system. This method is tested on two different cases of 16 bus distribution network. Test results are included in the paper. The results show that the reconfiguration is really useful in reducing active power loss and improving the voltage profile of the network.