Active shielding design in full 3D space of indoor MV/LV substations using genetic algorithm optimization

The authors propose an optimization procedure based on genetic algorithms (GAs) able to aid the design of indoor MV/LV substations, reducing the magnetic field pollution outside the cabin. In particular, coupling GAs with a 3D magnetic field calculation code, an attempt was made to mitigate the magnetic field outside the transformer substation by an active shield, consisting of a simple energized loop. The proposed algorithm has been initially applied to study a simplified 2D configuration, in order to test the efficiency and the reliability of the code; then, it has been extended to achieve a fully 3D solution of the problem. From the analysis of the results, it emerges that the proposed approach may be advantageously used in order to mitigate the magnetic flux density in target volumes located near MV/LV cabins.