Optimal restoration of power supply in large distribution systems in developing countries

A computer aided optimal method has been developed for the restoration of electric supply to areas isolated from the network following a fault in a distribution system. A search technique is used where the search is guided by appropriate heuristics. The optimum solution entails finding the strategy which involves the operation of minimum number of switchgear for rerouting the supply within the constraint of specified loading. This is an essential requirement in countries like India where the circuit breakers are almost always manually operated and a number of transformers and feeders operate close to their rated capacity. It pays therefore to adopt different strategies at peak load and off peak conditions since the number of breaker operations is so critical. The heuristic search that is developed is applied to a large distribution system and provides very good results