Bi-level network reconfiguration model to improve the resilience of distribution systems against extreme weather events

When a natural disaster occurs in a distribution network, a widespread power interruption may occur for a few days or weeks. This study presents a bi-level optimisation-based model for reconfiguration of the distribution network to improve the resilience of electricity distribution network against severe weather events such as storm and hurricane with the aim of minimising the cost of load outage. To achieve this, a model is first presented for evaluating the vulnerability of distribution network poles to estimate the damages imposed by the threat. Then, in the first level, according to the forecasting of possible failed lines and based on the predicted wind speed before the storm, a network reconfiguration strategy is employed to minimise the expected cost of load outage. In the second level, a new reconfiguration is carried out to restore the system loads and minimise the cost of load outage after the storm. The proposed model is then applied to a standard 33-bus radial distribution system using the GAMS software. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model in increasing network resilience and highlight the importance of network reconfiguration in the face of extreme natural disasters.