Resilience‐based framework for switch placement problem in power distribution systems

Abstract

Optimal placement of switches can play a key role in providing resilience to power distribution systems against major faults caused by natural disasters. This study presents a resilience‐based framework for optimal switch placement in distribution systems being consistent with the expansion plans of distributed generation units. At first, the impact of hurricanes on distribution system components is modelled using the geographic information system of distribution grid and the strength of components against extreme weather‐related events. Then, a new resiliency index is proposed to assess the resilience of distribution grids. This index is involved in a mathematical model of the switch placement problem and the obtained formulation is modelled as a mixed integer linear programming optimisation problem. The presented framework is implemented on two test systems, i.e. an illustrative test system and Bus 4 of the Roy Billinton test system. The results prove the effectiveness of this approach to improving the resiliency of distribution systems.