Objective functions of distribution network expansion planning - a comprehensive and exhaustive review

Utmost of elucidation about the research accomplished in an article is cleared from the objective function of the planning problem. An objective function is a mathematical expression which describe the existing condition of a system with numerous variables, in which alteration of these variables result in optimized value largest or smallest, depending on problem or desired value. That value may be obtained by minimizing or maximizing the objective function. In this paper, a review has been carried out on objective functions of distribution network expansion planning (DNEP). These objective functions have been classified into five main categories: financial, income related, technical, optimal size & location and social & economic. The selection of objective function clearly shows increasing penetration of distributed generation (DG), distributed energy storing systems (DESS) and fuel cells with renewable technologies. Most of the reviewed articles highlight these objectives in details, however; not all fields have been covered in any single work on DNEP. This review article aims to address this gap so that widespread DNEP can be achieved with flawlessness. Substantial information has been offered of research work done in the field of DNEP through this review article which will mitigate the impending researchers from the difficulties of getting apposite supervision.