Optimal reconfiguration and DG allocation in balanced and unbalanced distribution systems

This paper investigates feeder reconfiguration in balanced and unbalanced networks and presents an efficient method to optimize practical distribution systems by means of simultaneous reconfiguration and distributed generation (DG) allocation. A precise and robust load flow algorithm is applied and a composite multi-objective function is formulated to solve the problem which includes: 1. power loss saving, 2. voltage profile, 3. voltage unbalance, and 4. current unbalance of the system. The genetic algorithm (GA) is utilized to search for optimal solution. Results show significant reduction in power loss and number of voltage violations. Moreover, in unbalanced cases, ability of proposed method in three-phase balancing is demonstrated.