GIS-based urban distribution networks planning with 2-step ladder topology considering electric power cable joints

In this paper, an effective method is presented to re-design the distribution network of Milano based on geographic information system (GIS) and a cascading of Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) approach. Due to historical reasons, the distribution network of Milano is operated at several different voltages and it is characterized by substations with different schemes and practices as well as different design criteria. The purpose of this work is to propose a procedure for merging as much as possible the different areas in a coordinated and efficient way, minimizing capital and operational costs and taking into account operating practices and regulatory constraints. The developed GIS-based procedure is tested on a real large-scale distribution subsystem of Milano and the results are presented.