Optimal feeder reconfiguration and distributed generation placement for reliability improvement

This paper presents a methodology to determine the optimal distribution system feeder reconfiguration and distributed generation placement simultaneously, and is optimal in that the system reliability is maximized. An important consideration of optimal distribution system feeder reconfiguration is the effect of the variable output of intermittent resources. The work presented in this paper considers the stochastic behavior of variable resources, and open/close status of the sectionalizing and tie-switches as variables in determining the optimal DG locations and optimal configuration that enhance system reliability. Genetic algorithm is applied to search for the optimal or near-optimal solution. The proposed method is demonstrated on a 33-bus radial distribution system, which is extensively used as an example in solving the distribution system reconfiguration problem.