Enhanced multi-dimensional power network planning based on ant colony optimization

One ultimate goal of power network planning is to construct power systems that are environmentally friendly. However, it is still a challenging issue to efficiently consider environmental factors in power network planning problems due to the complexity and the diversity of environment. This paper presents a nonlinear approach to formulate the multi-dimensional spatial power network planning problem based on raster map in geographic information systems. With the objective of minimizing investment and operation costs, the proposed model integrates five dimensions: the substation location, the substation sizing, the line type selection, the optimal electric line routing, and the power network evaluation in terms of the ac power flow calculation. Furthermore, the branch capacity constraints and the node voltage limitations at peak load hours are examined to ensure the operational security of power systems. To overcome difficulties in solving the mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problem, an enhanced ant colony optimization with the four-search-space structure and the improved state transition rule is introduced. The case results validate the proposed model and the algorithms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.