Reconfiguration of distribution systems to improve reliability and reduce power losses using Imperialist Competitive Algorithm

Distribution systems can be operated in multiple configurations since they are possible combinations of radial and loop feeders. Each configuration leads to its own power losses and reliability level of supplying electric energy to customers. In order to obtain the optimal configuration of power networks, their reconfiguration is formulated as a complex optimization problem with different objective functions and network operating constraints. In this paper, a multi-objective framework is proposed for optimal network reconfiguration with objective functions of minimization of power losses, System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), Average Energy Not Supplied (AENS), and Average Service Unavailability Index (ASUI). The optimization problem is solved by the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) as one of the most modern heuristic tools. Since objective functions have different scales, a fuzzy membership is utilized here to transform objective functions into a same scale and then to determine the satisfaction level of the afforded solution using the fuzzy fitness. The efficiency of the proposed method is confirmed by testing it on 32-bus and 69-bus distribution test systems. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method not only presents intensified exploration ability but also has a better converge rate compared with previous methods.