Feeder loss reduction by switching operations with a hybrid programming technique

This paper presents a hybrid programming (HP) technique to reduce distribution feeder losses. The problem is optimized in a stochastic searching manner similar to that of evolutionary programming (EP). The initial population is determined by opening the switches with the lowest current in every mesh derived in the optimal power flow (OPF) with all switches closed. Solutions provided by OPF are the optimum or a near-optimal solution for most cases, so prematurity could occur. To avoid prematurity, a HP technique was applied to adjust the number of mutant elements adaptively. Tabu lists with heuristic rules were employed in the searching process to enhance performance. The new approach provides an overall switching decision instead of a sequential switching operation which tends to converge to a local optimum. Many tests have shown that the algorithm has advantages over many previously developed algorithms.