Substation Site Selection Based on Power Load and Topographic Factors

Substation site selection is a critical task in power system planning, directly impacting grid reliability, operational economy, and environmental compatibility. Traditional methods face significant challenges: geographic constraints (e.g., terrain slope, water bodies, and complex topography) require laborintensive exclusion zone screening, resulting in inefficiency, while the uncertainty and spatial-temporal variability of power load distribution demand dynamic balancing between proximity to load centers and future scalability. To address these issues, this paper proposes an optimized substation siting method integrating power load and terrain constraints. A multi-dimensional geographic information system (GIS) model is constructed to quantify terrain limitations, and a load density distribution heatmap is dynamically generated to assess regional power supply demands. Simulation results demonstrate that compared to traditional approaches, the proposed method increases siting efficiency by approximately $42 \%$ in complex terrains, reduces line losses by $18.6 \%$, and effectively mitigates environmental risks near water bodies and steep slopes. This study provides a data-driven, intelligent decision-making tool for power planning authorities, harmonizing technical feasibility, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability.