Hybrid Opposition based Differential Evolution algorithm for Distribution System Reconfiguration

Electrical power distribution systems are critical links between the utility and customer. They are constructed by one of the three types: radial, open loop and network. They are usually arranged to be radial in operation to simplify over-current protection. Utilities are constantly looking for newer technologies that enhance power delivery performance. One of the several important issues is the control of power loss; it has been controlled through reconfiguration. Distribution system reconfiguration helps to operate the system at minimum cost and at the same time improves the system reliability and security. Under normal operating conditions, optimization of network configuration is the process of changing the topology of distribution system by altering the open/closed status of switches to find a radial operating structure that minimizes the system real power loss while satisfying operating constraints. In this paper, a combination of Opposition based Differential Evolution Algorithm (ODE) and Plant Growth Simulation Algorithm (PGSA) has been introduced to solve the optimization problem. The optimization approach based on PGSA provides a detailed description on switch states and ODE improves the efficiency of optimization by reducing the number of load flow executions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by employing the feeder switching operation scheme to IEEE-33 bus and 83-bus Taiwan power distribution systems. The proposed algorithm reduces the transmission loss while satisfying the line loading and bus voltage limit constraints.