Optimal Reconfiguration of Distribution Network Considering Stochastic Wind Energy and Load Variation Using Hybrid SAMPSO Optimization Method

Abstract

Due to the stochastic characteristics of wind power generation and following varying demands for load consumption over a planning period, the optimal reconfiguration (OR) of the radial distribution network (RDN) represents a complex problem of a combinatorial nature. This paper evaluates two types of optimal reconfiguration searching for an optimal solution and considering time-varying changes. The first one is a static reconfiguration of RDN (SRRDN) made at a fixed load consumption point and during constant generated renewable power integration. The second one is a dynamic reconfiguration of RDN (DRRDN) made following a stochastic integration of wind energy (WTDG) and/or variation in load demand characteristics. In total, five scenarios are investigated in order to evaluate optimal reconfiguration of RDN (ORRDN) with the aim of reducing total active power losses (TAPL), improving the voltage profile (VP), and minimizing switches’ change costs (SCC). To deal with this, a hybrid optimization technique (SAMPSO) combining the simulated annealing algorithm (SA) with a modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) is undertaken. This hybrid method coupled with the MATPOWER toolbox is tested on the standard IEEE 69-bus RDN through both SRRDN and DRRDN. The results show the effectiveness of this improved reconfiguration procedure for enhancing the test system performance. A comparison between the proposed optimization method and previous findings’ methods is undertaken in this work. The obtained results proved the superiority and effectiveness of the SAMPSO method in solving the SRRDN and DRRDN problems.