A method for the evaluation and optimisation of power losses and reliability of supply in a distribution network

Abstract

This version is available at https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/56373/ Strathprints is designed to allow users to access the research output of the University of Strathclyde. Unless otherwise explicitly stated on the manuscript, Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Please check the manuscript for details of any other licences that may have been applied. You may not engage in further distribution of the material for any profitmaking activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute both the url (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/) and the content of this paper for research or private study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.Any correspondence concerning this service should be sent to the Abstract-This paper presents two methods for evaluating and optimizing the configuration of a distribution network. A new loss-optimization method is described which partitions, optimizes and then recombines the network topology to identify the lowest loss configurations available. A reliability evaluation method is presented which evaluates, on a load-by-load basis, the most effective restoration path and the associated time. In contrast to previously-reported methods, the operation of different types of switch is integrated into this approach, reducing dependency on pre-determined restoration times for each load each fault location. This provides a more accurate estimate of the outage durations through identification of the specific restoration method for each load under each fault condition. The optimization method applied is shown to be effective in identifying optimally-reliable network topologies. Significant benefits are shown to be available.

Opportunities for interconnection of adjacent distribution feeders in GB networks

“…'Dynamic' interconnection refers to closing and opening switches in a network to shift load and generation around a system. The radial constraint is maintained, which makes protection requirements simpler [1], but the end goal of allowing adjacent feeders to share generation and demand as in 'hard' interconnection is attained. This 'best of both worlds' appeal has generated much research interest around dynamic interconnection: [1], [8] and [9] present alternative methods of optimising the real-time reconfiguration of distribution networks with high DG penetration.…”

“…The radial constraint is maintained, which makes protection requirements simpler [1], but the end goal of allowing adjacent feeders to share generation and demand as in 'hard' interconnection is attained. This 'best of both worlds' appeal has generated much research interest around dynamic interconnection: [1], [8] and [9] present alternative methods of optimising the real-time reconfiguration of distribution networks with high DG penetration. Although it escapes the protection requirements of hard interconnection, dynamic interconnection requires a reliable IT/communications network to enable real-time monitoring and remote controlled switching.…”

“…Traditionally, distribution networks are operated radially rather than interconnected due to greater simplicity and lower cost in protection requirements [1]. To maintain reliability, Normally Open Points (NOPs) between groups can be closed in the event of an outage to re-supply customers without power.…”