Novel methodology solving distribution network reconfiguration with DG placement

Abstract

This paper proposes an effective and accurate methodology to solve the smart distribution network reconfiguration problem considering distributed generation (DG) placement, whose objective is to minimise power loss and enhance voltage stability. An intelligent optimisation algorithm using the electromagnetism-like mechanism (ELM) is used to effectively find the best configuration of the network and placement of the DG units simultaneously. ELM is a novel global optimisation algorithm referring to the electromagnetic interaction among the electric charge to search a best location of an individual. To secure the radial nature of the network and avoid creating non-feasible solutions, a novel encoding and decoding method is designed based on an exchanging tie switch sequentially, thereby accelerating the calculation speed. The rationality of codification is theoretically certified thereafter. To assess the performance of the proposed method, simulations are carried out on the IEEE 33- and 69-bus distribution network. The simulation results demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.