A method for minimum loss reconfiguration of radial distribution systems

This paper introduces a simple and fast heuristic approach for solving the distribution feeder reconfiguration problem with an objective of loss reduction and voltage profile improvement. In this paper, a single power flow solution is executed to specify all bus voltages and branch currents. The branch currents are utilized as switching indices to determine the open and closed status of sectionalized and tie-switches. Voltage limits, current carrying capacities, and other constraints, which are normally accounted for while solving any typical feeder reconfiguration problem have been taking into consideration in the proposed method. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on 33 bus and 69 bus radial distribution systems, which have both been extensively used in the literature as examples in solving the distribution feeder reconfiguration problem. The effect of embedded generation on distribution system reconfiguration and loss reduction is discussed in one case scenario. The results show that the proposed method could lead to optimal solution and is appropriate for optimal distribution system planning studies, in which fast but approximate solutions are usually sought.