Optimizing Phase Allocation Arrangement for a Rural LVAC Distribution System: A Case Study in Cambodia

In this study, multiple techniques are used to generate and compare the AC low voltage (LVAC) topology. The shortest path (SP) algorithm is applied to determine the shortest radial topology in the first stage. Secondly, the Water Cycle Algorithm (WCA) is implemented in this case study to find the optimal phase allocation arrangement. In this paper, the two scenarios of power loss minimization and energy loss minimization are proposed. The first scenario has three different cases of phase allocation arrangement are provided. Case 1 is with a repeated ABC phase sequence (RPS-ABC), while Case 2 is with the WGA for the phase allocation arrangement on electrical poles (PAP), and Case 3 is also with the phase arrangement on loads (PAL). Two methods are proposed in the second scenario; method 1 observes the minimum power loss from each hour for a daily day, then energy loss is given, and method 2 determines the minimum energy loss during operating 24 hours. The 129-bus low voltage distribution network in Cambodia was selected as a case study to assess the suggested solutions. Considering the results of these cases, the best solutions are found with minimum power loss and energy loss.