New algorithm for reconfiguration and operating procedures in electric distribution systems

• A step by step algorithm is proposed to reconfigure radial distribution systems.
• The proposed heuristic algorithm is based on a Dynamic Switches Set approach.
• The objective is to minimize the energy losses considering demand variation.
• Only radial topologies are obtained during the optimization process.
• The results provide the sequence of switching for any initial radial condition.

This paper presents a step-by-step heuristic algorithm for the reconfiguration of radial electrical distribution systems, aiming at power loss minimization. The proposed methodology is based on a Dynamic Switches Set approach, which is updated due to topological changes in the electrical network and to avoid the premature convergence of the algorithm in suboptimal solutions. Moreover, the proposed algorithm considers the demand variation through the system load curves and determines the sequence of switching operations during the reconfiguration process to obtain feasible operation points in the intermediate stages of this process. The network state in each reconfiguration stage is analyzed using a conventional power flow algorithm. The proposed methodology is applied to systems from the literature to evaluate its effectiveness.