A MILP Model for Optimal Conductor Selection and Capacitor Banks Placement in Primary Distribution Systems

Abstract

Power distribution systems (PDS) are the infrastructure and equipment used to distribute electricity from the transmission system to end-users, such as homes and businesses. PDS are usually designed to operate in a radial mode, where power flows from one substation to the end user through a series of feeders. The extension of distribution lines to attend new customers along with the growing demand for electricity result in increased energy losses and voltage reductions. Various solutions have been proposed to solve these issues, such as selecting the optimal set of conductors, optimizing the placement of voltage regulators, using capacitor banks, reconfiguring the distribution system, and implementing distributed generation. A well-known approach for reducing energy losses and enhancing voltage profile is the optimal conductor selection (OCS). While this can be beneficial, it may not be sufficient to fully reduce technical losses and improve the system voltage profile; therefore, it must be combined with other strategies. This paper presents a new approach that combines the OCS with the optimal placement of capacitor banks (OPCB) to minimize technical losses and improve the voltage profile in PDS. The main contribution of this paper is the integration of these two problems into a single mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, therefore guaranteeing the achievement of globally optimal solutions. Three test systems of 27, 69, and 85 buses were used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling approach. The results indicate that the combination of OCS and OPCB effectively minimizes energy losses and enhances the voltage profile. In all cases, the solutions obtained by the proposed MILP approach were better than those previously reported through metaheuristics for the combined OCS and OPCB problem.

Modified Gradient-Based Algorithm for Distributed Generation and Capacitors Integration in Radial Distribution Networks

“…13. In addition, the obtained results of the MGBO technique are contrasted to Mixed-Integer Linear Programming [60] as depicted in Table 7. As shown, the proposed approach shows higher superiority over Mixed-Integer Linear Programming [60] with great improvement of 28.02 %.…”

“…In addition, the obtained results of the MGBO technique are contrasted to Mixed-Integer Linear Programming [60] as depicted in Table 7. As shown, the proposed approach shows higher superiority over Mixed-Integer Linear Programming [60] with great improvement of 28.02 %. According to the recommended MGBO, which is illustrated, 122.174 kW has the most efficient performance and the fewest power losses.…”

Optimal Integration of Distribution Network Reconfiguration and Conductor Selection in Power Distribution Systems via MILP

“…On the other hand, in [59] a MILP for the OCS and the optimal capacitor placement in PDS is presented by the same authors. In this case, the linear power flow proposed in [58] is used for the optimal conductor selection.…”

“…In this case, the linear power flow proposed in [58] is used for the optimal conductor selection. The models presented by the authors in [58,59] are modified and adapted in this paper to have a single MILP model that solves the OCS and ODNR problems jointly, separately or sequentially. The mathematical optimization model implemented in this paper is designed for radial EDNs and considers the following hypotheses: (i) the EDN is represented by a monophasic equivalent; (ii) Loads are represented as constant power injections; (iii) only an electric source (substation) is considered; (iv) active and reactive power losses in distribution lines are concentrated in their sending bus; and (v) the capacitive reactance of distribution lines is neglected.…”

Using Simplified Distflow-Based Mixed-Integer Quadratically Constrained Programming Formulation for Optimum Selection of Conductor Size in Electrical Distribution Networks

“…Distribution grid planning is one of the important research topics in the field of electrical engineering. Electrical distribution systems often operate with a radial configuration to simplify protection methods and operating procedures [1]. Due to the low nominal voltage, power loss on this grid accounts for a large proportion of the overall power loss of the entire power system.…”