Electric Power Distribution Planning Tool Based on Geographic Information Systems and Evolutionary Algorithms

The expansion of electric distribution networks in new geographic areas is a tedious task. Once the position of the low voltage power substations has been decided, the planning engineers need to select the routes for the new power lines ensuring more efficient connections among the substations. This paper presents the methodology followed to plan the set of overhead power lines which achieves the optimal distribution network with the minimum installation and maintenance costs. The methodology is based on the use of Geographic Information Systems, which provide the needed functions to find feasible and economic routes for the new overhead power lines linking the substations, and an evolutionary algorithm which selects the optimal links. The application of the proposed methodology allows finding the optimal solution under an economic perspective in an automatic manner.