switch placement algorithm to reduce the impact of distribution network maintenance in continuity indexes

Abstract

The primary objective of power distribution utilities is to supply power to their consumers with minimal interruptions in both number and duration. These utilities are evaluated on continuity indices such as SAIDI and SAIFI. Sometimes, interruptions are needed to expand the network or for maintenance operations. This paper proposes an innovative method to evaluate the best place to install switches based on graph theory and centralities measurements to prevent disconnecting unnecessary customers in a maintenance event.The algorithm is demonstrated step-by-step with a simple example of a theoretical distribution network and then applied to the IEEE 123 bus test case for a comprehensive evaluation.