Reconfiguration of Radial Distribution Network Implementing TLBO Algorithm for Loss Minimization and Reliability Improvement

Network reconfiguration is a process to redesign the topology of the network by selective switching ON or OFF of the sectionalizing as well as tie switches in order to alter power flow from distribution substation to consumers. The primary goal of reconfiguration is load balancing, though it also a way to reduce the system’s active power loss. Reconfiguration may also lead to the improvement of system reliability. In this paper, the Teaching-Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) method is applied to reconfigure a radial network having minimal power loss with adequate system reliability. 33-bus IEEE RDS is considered as the test system. The power loss occurred in the network is calculated using the Gauss-Seidel load flow method. Reliability assessment of the reconfigured system is done by computing the performance indices, namely SAIFI, CAIDI, SAIDI, and AENS, and results are compared with that of the original test system.