Optimal Dynamic Network Reconfiguration for Power Loss Minimization in Smart Grid Distribution Systems Under Line Disturbances

The electricity demand has been increasing in recent years. As a result, significant power losses will occur, resulting in high operational costs and poor power quality. Customer satisfaction will suffer because of the poor power quality. Furthermore, different types of consumers that have different load patterns become a challenge to distribution networks. Another challenge in dealing with distribution networks is the increasing utilisation of renewable energy sources with variable generation. To achieve an ideal and high-quality distribution network, this problem must be solved. Network reconfiguration can solve the problem efficiently. However, static reconfigurations are less capable of handling issues related to load growth, varying consumer load patterns, and fluctuating renewable energy generation. Meanwhile, dynamic reconfiguration has become one effective solution to address the issues and challenges in the distribution network. This research focuses on dynamic reconfiguration using the Binary Particle Swarm Optimization method in a distribution network with three types of load patterns and the integration of renewable energy sources. Four cases are presented to show the impacts of PV installation, the number of intervals in reconfiguration, and the effects of disturbances on the distribution network. The simulation and analysis results of the first and second cases show a reduction in power losses of 12.593 kW and 5.701 kVAR on a distribution network with a higher amount of renewable energy. When comparing the third and second cases, three intervals of dynamic reconfiguration give better results regarding power loss, as it can minimise an additional 12.593 kW and 5.701 kVAR of power losses. Finally, the fourth case shows that the dynamic reconfiguration ensures the availability of electricity for customers even when the distribution network line is under disturbance.