Power Loss Minimization in Distribution System using Network Reconfiguration and DGs Allocation

Abstract

The operation and control of distribution systems have become more complex due to variation of loads on feeders. Electrical power distribution systems generally work in radial configuration. Due to high R/X ratio, radial distribution systems cause a huge voltage drop and considerable power losses. Unfortunately distribution system happens to be the major contributor of power losses in power systems. As per Indian scenario, distribution losses constitute a significant part of the system losses (around 21%). The Basic methods for loss minimization in distribution systems are: newline(i) Feeder Reconfiguration (ii) Allocation of Distributed Generation (DG) units (like wind farms, solar plants, shunt newlinecapacitors etc.) Feeder reconfiguration is an elementary method in distribution automation (DA), which is normally used for loss minimization and voltage profile improvement. The reconfiguration problem is to determine the best configuration of the distribution system that gives least amount of power loss while satisfying the operating constraints. This is normally achieved by opening and closing the sectionalizing switches. In DG technology, the small generating units (1kW to 50 MW) are connected near the load side. The DG units may be renewable and non renewable energy sources. The renewable based distributed generation units have become a leading choice due to limitation of fossils fuels. These distributed generation sources guarantee an improvement in the supply reliability due to their endless nature, and reduction in green house gas emissions as these are nonpolluting. In this thesis, feeder reconfiguration and DG units are used to reduce power loss in distribution systems. The aim of this thesis is to motivate the customers to install a distributed generation (DG) units at their ends. Selective Particle Swarm Optimization (SPSO) algorithm has been projected here to identify new reconfigured system. A new mathematical expression, Power Voltage Sensitivity Constant (PVSC), has been proposed to solve the DG s allocation problem. newline