Comparative study of distribution networks reconfiguration problem approaches

¹ DEGEIT – GOVCOPP, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
² DEGEIT, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

^* Corresponding author: ana.moura@ua.pt

Received: 9 October 2019
Accepted: 6 July 2020

Abstract

This work presents a comparative study between different resolutions approaches applied to the problem of power distribution. The main objective is to present a comparison between the various methods of resolution presented in the literature and the most used by the various authors. For this study, ninety papers that address the problem of reconfiguration of power distribution networks were analysed. The main objective is to reduce the real energy losses in the system, while several constraints regarding distribution are satisfied. The most recent papers were analysed, taking into account the approaches presented by the various authors, the formulation of the problem – namely its objective functions and constraints – the initialization methods and the stopping methods, as well as the results obtained. As such, an analysis and categorization of the various problems and approaches is presented, with the main focus being on the analysis and minimization of energy losses in 33-bus systems.