Optimal network tearing using simulated annealing

A new algorithm for optimal tearing of networks is presented. The algorithm is based on the simulated annealing principle and is able to divide a power system network model into a number of subnetworks in order to optimise the use of parallel computer systems for network analysis. Computational examples are given which illustrate the properties of the new algorithm. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by the iterative improvement method, and it is shown that the annealing algorithm finds significantly better solutions