Multi-Region Distribution System Reconfiguration Based on an Improved Ant Colony Algorithm

Distribution system reconfiguration is an important aspect of distribution system operation. Traditional methods of distribution system reconfiguration are applied in single-region systems while all the feeders or switches can be operated. However, in multi-region system, distribution transformers and their upstream components can´t arbitrarily be brought into/out of operation. Therefore, the traditional methods of reconfiguration are no longer applicable. This paper designs new ant routes according to the characteristic of multi-region distribution systems. An improved ant colony algorithm is proposed based on the new routes. The simulation results of an actual multi-region distribution system validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.