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Distribution feeder reconfiguration is an important operation problem in distribution system which has been used to improve the efficiency of distribution systems by obtaining the best combination of on/off status of the switches. It is a mixed integer non-linear program problem and hence hard to solve which necessitate employing proper optimization algorithms to converge to global optima or find near global optima. Smart grid implementation has made loads and electricity prices more volatile and as a result makes operational power system problems to be much more time dependent and more complicated rather than before. To cope with these time dependencies, it is crucial to extend the problems on different time intervals. To this end the dynamic distribution feeder reconfiguration, extension of the problem over multiple time intervals, with various objective functions including operation cost, power loss and energy not supplied is developed and investigated in this study. Time varying electricity prices and different load levels juxtapose with the effect of distributed generations are taken into account in order to generalize the proposed approach. Inherent complexities of distribution feeder reconfiguration problem have made proposing solution techniques an ongoing research topic. A new optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the proposed problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution Feeder Reconfiguration (DFR) is an important technique to improve the performance of distribution networks. The common objectives considered in the DFR problem are power loss and voltage deviation which are important objectives for traditional distribution systems. Security issues cause by Distributed Generations (DGs) in modern distribution systems which can potentially jeopardize power system security has almost neglected in power system operation problem. Toward this end, this study considers the power loss, Voltage Stability Index (VSI), and number of switching as objective functions which can satisfy both operation and security expectations. The Backward-Forward Sweep (BFS) method known for easy convergence has been employed for power flow calculations. Because of the increase in DG penetration in distributed systems, the impacts of these units are investigated. A powerful optimization algorithm based on hybridization of Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm (SFLA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is proposed to solve the proposed problem. The proposed algorithm is a combination of strong mutation operator, original SFLA and original PSO algorithms which has high population diversity and search ability. The proposed algorithm has been applied to a complex multimodal benchmark function and also two different distribution networks including 33- and 95-bus test systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While compressed air energy storage (CAES) has many applications in the field of generation and transmission power systems based on the state-of-the-art, this paper proposes the application of small-scale CAESs (SCAESs) in form of a storage aggregator in the daily operation of an active distribution system (ADS), joining the distribution system operator (DSO) for the participation in the day-ahead (DA) wholesale market. An innovative two-agent modeling approach is formulated. The first agent is responsible for aggregating SCAES units and the profit maximization of the aggregator is based on the distribution local marginal price. The DSO as the second agent receives the DA scheduling from the independent SCAES aggregator and is thus responsible for the secure operation of the ADS, utilizing solar and dispatchable distributed generation (DG) as well as purchasing power from the wholesale market. Linear programming is used for the formulation and optimization of the SCAES aggregator, while a bi-objective optimization algorithm (with the objectives of minimum operating cost as well as minimum power loss and emissions in different scenarios) is employed for DSO scheduling. The results show that the CAES aggregator can offer a considerable impact for power loss reduction, specifically, when diesel generators are not committed in the system operation (i.e., where emission has very low values between 10,000 and 12000 kg). Additionally, the CAES aggregator could reduce the operation costs of the grid in a wide range of operations, even though for the scenario in which the CAES units are not under the control of the DSO anymore and also are scheduled to maximize their own profit. Moreover, results demonstrated that CAES units can be a significant voltage control device for a distribution grid with different objectives. Finally, some conclusions are duly drawn. • This paper proposes the application of small-scale compressed air energy storage (SCAESs). • An innovative two-agent modeling approach is formulated. • Linear programming is used for the formulation and optimization of the SCAES aggregator. • Bi-objective optimization algorithm is employed for distribution system operator scheduling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic dispatch seeks for the most economical combination of generation units in power system while satisfying bunch of physical and operational constraints. Finding the most economical generation strategy in power markets with several generation zones is crucial for power system operation. Conventional economic dispatch models cannot find the most economical generation schedule in power system with different generation zones. Moreover, the most economical schedule of generation cannot satisfy the environmental expectations. Therefore, compromising between generation cost and environmental issues is unavoidable. In this connection, total emission produces by generation units is taken into consideration as an objective function in concert with generation cost function. Furthermore, different operational constraints including valve-point effect, prohibited operating zones and multi-fuel operation are considered to make the proposed approach more realistic. Considering all these restrictions necessitate solving the proposed problem, i.e. multi-objective multi-area economic dispatch problem, by a reliable and strong optimization algorithm. In this regard, a hybrid evolutionary algorithm based on the shuffle frog leaping algorithm and the particle swarm optimization is proposed to solve the proposed problem. Effectiveness of the proposed hybrid algorithm is verified on different test systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Distribution feeders and substations need to provide additional capacity to serve the growing electrical demand of customers without compromising the reliability of the electrical networks. Also, more control devices, such as DG (Distributed Generation) units are being integrated into distribution feeders. Distribution networks were not planned to host these intermittent generation units before construction of the systems. Therefore, additional distribution facilities are needed to be planned and prepared for the future growth of the electrical demand as well as the increase of network hosting capacity by DG units. This paper presents a multiobjective optimization algorithm for the MDEP (Multi-Stage Distribution Expansion Planning) in the presence of DGs using nonlinear formulations. The objective functions of the MDEP consist of minimization of costs, END (Energy-Not-Distributed), active power losses and voltage stability index based on SCC (Short Circuit Capacity). A MPSO (modified Particle Swarm Optimization) algorithm is developed and used for this multiobjective MDEP optimization. In the proposed MPSO algorithm, a new mutation method is implemented to improve the global searching ability and restrain the premature convergence to local minima. The effectiveness of the proposed method is tested on a typical 33-bus test system and results are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]