Optimal placement of manual and remote-controlled switches based on the Pareto front

Abstract

Optimal switch placement is of paramount importance for improving the reliability of power distribution networks. In this context, this work proposes a model based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) for determining the optimal number of manual switches (MSs) and remote-controlled switches (RCSs) to be placed on the system nodes. The analysis relies on obtaining the Pareto front between cost and the expected energy not supplied (EENS) index. The method allows the simultaneous placement of both types of switches, thus being an important tool that can be incorporated into the decision-making process while taking into account two conflicting objectives, that is, cost and reliability. The proposed approach is applied to a benchmark test system, whereas the Pareto front is defined in terms of a set of non-dominated solutions. The results evidence that using MSs and RCSs simultaneously can significantly reduce the EENS by up to 80%.