Node Voltage Improvement by Network Reconfiguration: A Soft Computing Approach

In this paper we represent a genetic based algorithm for optimal reconfiguration of distribution network. It is generally difficult to solve distribution network with the combination of many tie-line switches. Here we have tried to simply the requirement by the use of genetic algorithm and further we have tried to improve the node voltages. We have run load flow program developed in MATLAB environment on the optimum feeder layout obtained and further we have tried to improve the node voltages of the network by trying the various combinations of tie line switches. The fitness function of the chromosomes turns out to be the maximum of the minimum node voltages. Using GA the paper gives the optimum combination of tie line switches for the best node voltages. The result is tested on single, two and three feeder network and the work has been carried out in MATLAB environment.