HV distribution network optimum supply restoration algorithm

In this paper, an algorithm is proposed to investigate the improvement in HV network reliability when the number and location of Remotely Operable Switches (ROS) is changed. Specifically, the Particle Swarm Optimisation PSO is employed to identify; (i) optimal placement of remotely operable protective devices and (ii) the optimal sequence of reconfiguration and restoration of the supply based on a given deployed set of switches. The reliability of the network is measured by calculating the possible number of customers restored post outage, considering both upstream and downstream restorations. In the selection of optimal switching sequences, the voltage and current constraints are also used to ensure that the identified restoration is viable. A successfully developed PSO based algorithm is described and applied to an 11 kV urban distribution network comprising 162 nodes and 31 feeders. Successful results were achieved with optimal number of ROS and reconfigurations have been made without voltage or current violation.