Voltage regulation and power losses minimization in automated distribution networks by an evolutionary multiobjective approach

In this paper, the problem of voltage regulation and power losses minimization for automated distribution systems is dealt with. The classical formulation of the problem of optimal control of shunt capacitor banks and Under Load Tap Changers located at HV/MV substations has been coupled with the optimal control of tie-switches and capacitor banks on the feeders of a large radially operated meshed distribution system with the aim of attaining minimum power losses and the flattening of the voltage profile. The considered formulation requires the optimization of two different objectives; therefore the use of adequate multiobjective heuristic optimization methods is needed. The heuristic strategy used for the optimization is based on fuzzy sets theory. After a brief description of the general problem of optimal control of voltage and power losses in automated distribution networks, the most recent papers on the topic are reported and commented. Then the problem formulation and the solution algorithm are described in detail. Finally, numerical results on a large distribution system demonstrate that the proposed formulation and approach are effective and feasible for finding an optimal generalized dispatching schedule.