A Method to Improve Distribution System Reliability Using Available Mobile Generators

This article presents a new method for the minimization of reliability costs of distribution systems (DSs) through switch reallocation, using genetic algorithms to find the best solutions for the switch placement problem, when a mobile emergency generator (MEG) is available for use. MEGs can be used as versatile reliability enhancers in a DS because differently from fixed distributed generation, they have mobility and can be easily connected in different parts of a feeder during different faults. An MEG prepositioning strategy is also presented, which aims to obtain the near optimal initial position for the MEG in the network, focusing to minimize response time. It can be checked if the improvement on reliability indices can compensate for the costs associated with the MEG. Simulations on a real feeder are done, and the results show significant improvements on reliability costs.