Evaluation of transmission network reinforcements in an automated network planning process

The identification of cost-efficient transmission network reinforcements is a tough challenge due to many uncertainties and the complexity of the optimization problem. This paper presents an Automated Network Planning Process (ANEPP) which applies a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Six alternative PSO fitness functions are postulated. They differ in the number of assessed overloads and in the way reinforcements that mitigate but do not eliminate these overloads are treated. The ANEPP creates expansion plans with each fitness function. The results are evaluated in terms of total cost and computational burden to give a recommendation for an appropriate PSO fitness function.