Distribution system reconfiguration using artificial immune systems

Power losses minimization is a goal for electricity utilities and distribution system reconfiguration is one of the available tools to accomplish it. Reconfiguring the network means altering its topology by changing the status of normally opened and normally closed switches. Besides power losses minimization, network reconfiguration also helps on load balance and service restoration. This paper proposes the use of artificial immune systems to optimize the distribution system reconfiguration by minimizing the switching operations and active power losses, considering as constraints the radial characteristics of the distribution networks and feeders' ampacity. The proposed algorithm is tested on a sample system, 14-Bus Test System, and on a Paraguayan real feeder.