Enhanced feeder reconfiguration in primary distribution networks using backtracking search technique

Abstract

The Backtracking Search (BS) technique is a new evolutionary optimiser which simply prepared to make use of the previous populations. It has been employed to solve the feeder reconfiguration problem to minimise the energy losses to face the different loading conditions on two distribution networks. The first system is 11-kV realistic Egyptian distribution ring which is called El asal-Magles El madinah primary distribution ring in Gharbia governorate. The second system is a 12.66-kV radial distribution system of 32 buses and 37 distribution segments. It has been handled using Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) to analyse the impacts of disconnecting the distribution segments and varying the normal open points on the active and reactive power losses. The different loading conditions are based on real measurements of the feeders and transformers loading on both the medium voltage side and the low voltage side at the rush hours. Significant technical and economical merits are satisfied for the studied distribution network. Both the BS application and ETAP analysis demonstrate the great technical and economical merits of optimally disconnecting the distribution segments to minimise the related costs of the energy losses, improve the voltage profile, and avoid the overloading in branches.