An efficient algorithm for minimum loss reconfiguration of distribution system based on sensitivity and heuristics

This paper presents a very efficient, two-stage method for the distribution system reconfiguration for loss minimization. The efficiency of the method stems from the use of real power loss sensitivity with respect to the impedances of the candidate branches. The proposed method uses these sensitivities in the first stage. A branch exchange procedure is used in the second stage to refine the solution. Results for five test systems have been obtained with the proposed method in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm. Index Terms--Distribution system, loss minimization, network reconfiguration, sensitivity.