Two stage multi-criteria based planning approach for loop configured microgrid

In this paper, two stage microgrid (MG) planning tool is proposed with special emphasis on potential looping of the radial distribution network (RDN). In the first stage, weighted sum methodology incorporating different indices, is used to find the potential loops in the test distribution network (DN). IEEE 69 bus radial distribution system has been used as a test MG in this paper. In the second stage, numerical indices based technique is used to evaluate the performance of looped DN (LDN) after distributed generation (DG) placement under different scenarios. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out by changing weights of the different criteria for better understanding and validation.