Ranking distribution grid improvement projects-a solution using genetic algorithm

This article presents the result of a research work developed by UNIFACS and COELBA, under 2001 R&D programme, on a ranking methodology for the investments in electric distribution grid. This methodology was developed to harmonize the quality of service criteria required by ANEEL, with the output of a ranking software named Apriori, which, besides ranking distribution projects, runs the calculation of their electric parameters before and after the planned intervention, displaying the technical and economic performances of each intervention. The ranking methodology seeks to identify the group of projects, which presents the highest return on a given amount of available capital. In order to define this group of projects, the ranking software offers two programming techniques: a branch-and-bound algorithm , which provides for the best selection of projects, but in turn requires a long processing time, or a genetic algorithm, which can select an optimum selection, after a pre-limited processing time. The choice over one option or another will depend upon the number of projects to rank.