Methodology of solution for the distribution network reconfiguration problem based on improved harmony search algorithm

Abstract

The topology of power distribution systems can be modified by altering the status of sectional and tie switches for load management and protection, while maintaining the required network radiality. Several effective optimisation algorithms and graph theory‐based techniques for system radiality detection have been proposed in specialised literature to solve the distribution network reconfiguration problem, usually seeking to achieve power loss reductions and voltage profile improvements. This work aims to contribute to this line of research and its novelties are composed of proposing as solution method a methodology based in an enhanced version of harmony search metaheuristic called improved harmony search algorithm, and a new simple and effective system impedance matrix based process to detect islanding of nodes as a strategy to meet radiality constraint. The proposed methodologies were applied to 33‐bus, 84‐bus and 118‐bus distribution networks known from technical literature, aiming to total active power loss minimisation. As comparison between methods, a key focus in analysis of results is related to discuss some advantages and effectiveness of improved harmony search over original harmony search algorithm to attain optimal radial topologies.