Distribution Network Reconfiguration Considering Voltage and Current Unbalance Indexes and Variable Demand Solved through a Selective Bio-Inspired Metaheuristic

Operation of distribution networks involves a series of criteria that should be met, aiming for the correct and optimal behavior of such systems. Some of the major drawbacks found when studying these networks is the real losses related to them. To overcome this problem, distribution network reconfiguration (DNR) is an efficient tool due to the low costs involved in its implementation. The majority of studies regarding this subject treat the problem by considering networks only as three-phase balanced, modeled as single-phase grids with fixed power demand, which is far from representing the characteristics of real networks (e.g., unbalanced loads, variable power and unbalance indexes). Due to the combinatorial nature of the problem, metaheuristic techniques are powerful tools for the inclusion of such characteristics. In this sense, this paper proposes a study of DNR considering balanced and unbalanced systems with variable power demand. An analysis of the direct influence of voltage unbalance index (VUI) and current unbalance index (CUI) is carried out for unbalanced cases. To solve the DNR problem, a selective bio-inspired metaheuristic based on micro bats’ behavior named the selective bat algorithm (SBAT) is used together with the EPRI-OpenDSS software (California, US, EPRI). Tests are initially conducted on balanced systems, aiming to validate the technique proposed for both demands and state their differences, and then they are conducted on unbalanced systems to study the influence of VUI and CUI in the DNR solution.