Loss reduction and reliability optimization in electrical distribution systems using network reconfiguration

Network reconfigurationis an operation strategy, which alters the topological structure of the distribution feeders by rearranging the status of switches in order to obtain an optimal configuration, minimise system losses and to improve reliability. In this paper, an approach using Distribution Load Flow(DLF) solution and a reconfiguration algorithm that enhances voltage profile, reliability and voltage stability index besides minimising losses is developed. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on33 bus Radial Distribution System (RDS) in the MATLAB^TM environment.