A New Heuristic Method for Distribution Network Restoration and Load Elimination Using Genetic Algorithm

The electrical power supply consistency is one of the main power quality and network reliability indices. Generally, distribution networks have radial structures. In such a situation, when a fault occurs in one of the network feeders which leads to isolating the fault, downstream loads may be de-energized. The change of network structure with the aim of delivering the high quality and reliable energy to the customers is an important parameter in distribution network operation, which is called the network loads restoration. In distribution networks, there are switches that are normally open, and it is possible to create new paths for de-energized loads by closing them. These switches are called tie switches. Quick and efficient restoration of de-energized loads increases the network reliability and consumer satisfaction level, and decreases the undistributed energy and costs. In this paper, an efficient heuristic algorithm is proposed to maximize the restoration of distribution network loads, and the Genetic algorithm is used for minimum load elimination when it is not possible to restore all loads. Furthermore, proposed algorithm performance and accuracy is validated by implementing it on IEEE 33-bus standard network.