Optimization and estimation of reliability indices and cost of Power Distribution System of an urban area by a noble fuzzy-hybrid algorithm

Power Distribution System (PDS) in an urban populated area suffers from interruptions due to uncertain faults, which degrades its reliability. Better performance of the PDS can be achieved by minimizing the most commonly used reliability indices like System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) or System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) as well as minimizing PDS cost (both installation and maintenance cost). Number and position of Reclosers and fuses (protective devices) and switches in a PDS play an important role in enhances the performance of a PDS while lowering its cost. As the problem is inherently related to real-life activities, it can be modelled better by fuzzy logic. In this paper, the single, as well as a multi-objective optimization problem of minimizing the cost and reliability metrics, has been solved by the help of a noble fuzzy-hybrid algorithm. The outcome of the proposed algorithm is a PDS with a modified number of a recloser, fuse and switch and their arrangement in the network. Two well-known and well-organized meta-heuristic algorithms named as improved Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Quantum mechanized Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) are hybridized with fuzzified inputs and the outputs are defuzzified in order to minimize reliability metrics and cost. The obtained result set is compared with existing works of literature to establish that the model developed is more reliable in terms of fault tolerance as a fuzzy repair rate and the fuzzy failure rate has been considered in the experiment. As an offshoot, a rule-set is also obtained that may help the future decision process. •The paper described fuzzy-hybrid algorithms in Power Distribution System (PDS).•The paper explained hybridization between Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Quantum mechanized Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO).•The paper proposed minimization problem of reliability indices (SAIFI and SAIDI) and system cost.•The paper suggested fuzzy-inference rule to describe dependency between load, failure-rate and SAIFI, SAIDI and system cost estimation using the Fuzzy Inference System.•The paper introduced Fuzzy Linguistic Rule-based System.