Abstract
This article presents an innovative technique for solving network reconfiguration problems with an objective of minimizing network I2R losses for an explicit set of loads. Amid many performance standards considered for optimal network reconfiguration, voltage constraint is an important one. This problem calls for determining the best combination of feeders to be opened in the radial distribution system so it provides optimal performance in the preferred settings. In solving this problem, the gravitational search algorithm is used to reconfigure the radial distribution system; this algorithm practices an optimal pattern for sustaining the radial nature of the network at every stage of the solution, and it further allows proficient exploration of the solution space. The anticipated scheme minimizes the objective function, which has been given in the problem formulation to reduce I2R losses in addition to balancing loads in the feeders. The solution technique involves determination of the best switching combinations and calculation of power loss and voltage profile. The practicality of the anticipated technique is validated in two distribution networks, where attained results are compared by means of available literature. Correspondingly, it is seen from the results that network losses are reduced when voltage stability is enriched through network reconfiguration.
NOMENCLATURE
best(t) | = | best fitness at generation t |
Fdi(t) | = | total force acting on ith agent |
fitj(t) | = | fitness of jth agent at iteration t |
Mai | = | active gravitational mass of ith agent |
Mii | = | inertia mass of ith agent |
Mpi | = | passive gravitational mass of ith agent |
NVB | = | number of buses that violate recommended voltage limits |
Pacc | = | real power accumulated |
Pi | = | real power load demand in bus i |
Pij(loss) | = | real power loss in line connecting ith and jth bus |
Pj | = | real power injection at jth bus |
Qacc | = | reactive power accumulated |
Qi | = | reactive power load demand in bus i |
Qj | = | reactive power injection at jth bus |
Rij | = | resistance in line connecting ith and jth bus |
Vi | = | voltage magnitude of bus i |
Vj | = | voltage magnitude of jth bus |
VL | = | upper limit of ith load bus |
Vmax | = | maximum voltage limit |
Vmin | = | minimum voltage limit |
worst(t) | = | worst fitness at generation t |
xdi | = | positions of ith agent in dth dimension |
δj | = | phase angle at jth bus |
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Y. Mohamed Shuaib
Y. Mohamed Shuaib received his B.E in electrical and electronics engineering from University of Madras in 1994 and his M.E. in power system engineering from Annamalai University, Tamilnadu, India, in 2002. He is a research scholar in Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India, and since 2003 has been working as an assistant professor (selection grade) in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, B.S. Abdur Rahman University, Chennai. His current research includes capacitor placement and reconfiguration in radial distribution networks in the presence of distributed generation.
M. Surya Kalavathi
M. Surya Kalavathi received her B.Tech and M.Tech from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India, in 1988 and 1992, respectively. She obtained her doctoral degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, and her post-doctoral from Carnegie Mellon University, USA. She is presently the professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad College of Engineering, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, India. She has published 16 research papers and is presently guiding five Ph.D. scholars. Her research interests include simulation studies on transients of different power system equipment.
C. Christober Asir Rajan
C. Christober Asir Rajan was born in 1970 and received his B.E. (distn.; electrical and electronics) and his M.E. (distn.; power systems) from Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India, in 1991 and 1996, respectively. He received his postgraduate degree in DI.S. (distn.) from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, in 1994. He received his Ph.D in power system from Anna University, Chennai, India (2001–2004). He is currently working as an associate professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry, India. He has published technical papers in international and national journals and conferences. His areas of interest are power system optimization, operational planning, and control.