Optimal planning of power networks using mixed-integer programming. Part 1: Static and time-phased network synthesis

A mixed-integer linear programming approach to the planning of electrical-power networks is described. The method is based on an interpretation of fixed-cost transportation-type models, and includes both network security and costs of network losses. Both single-period and multitime-period planning problems are considered. A large general-purpose mathematical programming system is used to obtain solutions using branch-and-bound algorithms, and the practical aspects of organising the problems and controlling the branch-and-bound tree search within a modern m.p.s. package are discussed. Three case studies are presented for illustration: the optimal design of a 132 kV subtransmission system, the optimal time-phased design of the same system over. eight years, and the optimal layout and cable selection for a new housing-estate low-voltage network. The paper concludes by indicating potential further applications of the method for scheduling, for example, new plant at substations.