Reliability Optimization of Automated Distribution Networks with Probability Customer Interruption Cost Model in the Presence of DG Units

Distribution automation systems in terms of automatic and remote-controlled sectionalizing switches allows distribution utilities to implement flexible control of distribution networks, which is a successful strategy to enhance efficiency, reliability, and quality of service. The sectionalizing switches play a significant role in an automated distribution network, hence optimizing the allocation of switches can improve the quality of supply and reliability indices. This paper presents a mixed-integer nonlinear programming aiming to model the optimal placement of manual and automatic sectionalizing switches and protective devices in distribution networks. A value-based reliability optimization formulation is derived from the proposed model to take into consideration customer interruption cost and related costs of sectionalizing switches and protective devices. A probability distribution cost model is developed based on a cascade correlation neural network to have a more accurate reliability assessment. To ensure the effectiveness of the proposed formulation both technical and economic constraints are considered. Furthermore, introducing distributed generation into distribution networks is also considered subject to the island operation of DG units. The performance of the proposed approach is assessed and illustrated by studying on the bus 4 of the RBTS standard test system. The simulation results verify the capability and accuracy of the proposed approach. © 2010-2012 IEEE.