Reduction of active losses with reconfiguration of electricity distribution networks

Electricity distribution networks in densely populated urban areas are, in order to increase the reliability of supply, usually designed as meshed networks, though they always operate in radial configuration. Reconfiguration of distribution networks is achieved through switching operations on switching devices of distribution network branches (switching on/off of a branch). It is often the case that the existing configuration is not the configuration with minimum power losses. With the new computer program, developed by the authors, it is possible to find the network configuration that enables operation with minimum losses. The program proposes the best network configuration to the dispatcher, and the latter makes his own decision whether to change the network configuration or not. The mathematical algorithm for the network reconfiguration is presented in the paper, as well as results of the reconfiguration of the electricity distribution network of the city of Maribor, Slovenia.