Load shedding through optimal power flow to support self-healing actions in distribution feeders

One of the main characteristics of the smart grid is the implementation and development of tools that allow the minimization of system vulnerability as well as an increase in security, reliability and power quality in distribution systems. This paper presents the development of a methodology to support self-healing through demand-side management (load shedding). This methodology allows the self-healing system to restore more loads when compared to traditional methods, through the indication of loads to shed in each bus of the distribution system, taken into account power quality constraints. The methodology was implemented using a Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) to self-healing switching determination and Optimal Power Flow (OPF) for the load shedding scheme. The methodology proved to be able to restore more load in an optimal way, minimizing losses and assuring power quality.