Optimal application order of network reconfiguration and ODGP for loss reduction in distribution networks

In this paper loss reduction in Distribution Networks is performed under proper consideration regarding Distributed Generation (DG) siting and sizing and network reconfiguration. The optimal solution for each of the aforementioned techniques, when applied individually, is highly dependent on the network layout and on its load composition. Thus, the question that arises when both techniques are utilized, concerns their application order towards the most efficient solution. The analysis in this work examines how the sequence regarding the implementation of these two techniques affects the optimal solution in terms of DG capacity penetration and number of switching operations. Various scenarios with different available DG units are examined regarding their optimal siting and sizing before and after the implementation of the network reconfiguration technique. Finally, an alternative scenario with the simultaneous application of both techniques is also examined. In this latter case the complexity of the problem is highly increased and the solution efficiency is also affected. A special PSO variant is utilized as the solution algorithm, namely Unified-PSO, accordingly modified for each scenario and the IEEE 33 bus system is utilized as the reference distribution network. The analysis concludes about the optimal application order of these two techniques for practical implementation.