Loss Reduction in Radial Distribution Systems Using Plant Growth Simulation Algorithm

This paper aims to investigate the optimal switching sequence to maintain radial nature of distribution network for minimal active power losses and an improved voltage loads. The network configuration has been declared as a method for power and energy saving at nearly no cost. A network configuration optimization approach based on the plant growth simulation algorithm (PGSA), is specially suited to large-scale distribution systems. The change in Network configuration is achieved by closing or opening of switches in such a way that the radiality of the Network is maintained. An elegant design method of the decision variables, which describes the radial feature of the distribution network and considerably reduces the dimension of the variables in the solved model, is developed. Moreover, a detailed description on switch states further improves the efficiency of calculation. The proposed approach is applied to a 33-bus sample system and large-scale real system.