Experimental multi-objective evaluation of radial and loop distribution network configuration using distribution network equipment

In this paper, we propose an experimental multiobjective evaluation method based on the use of distribution network equipment to evaluate distribution network configuration candidates with distributed generators (DGs), such as photovoltaic generation systems and wind power generation systems, by hourly changing states of sectionalizing switches satisfying constraints of voltage and line current limit. In the proposed experimental multiobjective evaluation method, the optimal network configuration is determined by using multiobjective evaluation based on total distribution loss rate, maximum voltage total harmonic distortion, and maximum voltage imbalance rate in order to reduce distribution loss and to keep power quality. The proposed method is applied to radial and loop distribution network configurations by using an experiment of scaled‐down three‐phase distribution network with 1 bank distribution transformer, 5 distribution lines, 5 sectionalizing switches, 12 single‐phase loads, and 5 DGs. © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.