An Optimization Method of Multi-UAV Fast Line Patrol Scheduling for Distribution Network

Abstract

The distribution network is essential for the continuous power supply of industrial, commercial, and residential loads. By using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) efficiently, a lot of costs of power line patrol can be saved, and the post-disaster power grid repair and power supply recovery can be sped up. Firstly, according to the characteristics of complex distribution network, a multi-UAV line patrol path optimization model was established. And then, the sum of the patrol path and the variance of multi-UAVs' patrol path were taken as the objective function. Based on the Fleury algorithm and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, the Fleury-and-PSO-based UAV patrol algorithm was proposed to solve the optimization problem. Through the simulation of an example distribution network, and the comparison with the genetic algorithm and ant colony algorithm, the efficiency of multiple-UAV line patrol in distribution network was proved, the post-disaster information was obtained in the shortest time under the condition of limited endurance capacity of UAVs. In conclusion, the method proposed in this paper can rapidly provide post-disaster data support for post-disaster repair of the distribution network.