Distribution Network Reconfiguration for reliability Enhancement via Genetic Algorithm approach

This study aims to determine the optimal configurations and topologies of an electrical distribution network. This problem is considered an optimization problem that requires criteria to be minimized while respecting various constraints. The objective function considered in the reconfiguration process is the energy not supplied (ENS) to the network. The minimization of this objective function can increase the reliability of network topologies, and the topology with the minimum ENS is the most reliable. The required objective function is expressed using a mathematical expression, which is used in the proposed optimization algorithms. First, this paper presents the objective function and constraints to be considered in the optimization problem. Then, to solve this problem, we use exhaustive research and the genetic algorithm (GA) for an IEEE1-33 bus distribution power system. Based on the obtained results, the optimization of various configurations using the GA contributed qualitatively to improving the reliability index, transited currents, power supply voltage, and execution time.