Two-Stage Distribution Network Reconfiguration Considering Shunt Compensation

Distribution Network Reconfiguration (DNR) is one of the important techniques for enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of electrical distribution networks (DNs). DNR can significantly reduce power losses and improve voltage profiles by dynamically changing the network topology. This paper presents a novel two-stage optimization framework that integrates a Depth First Search (DFS) algorithm in the first stage to aid the binary particle swarm optimization (PSO) in determining the feasible radial configurations of the network considering the reconfiguration of tie-line switches (RTLS) by satisfying the grid constraints. The RTLS aims to minimize active power losses and enhance voltage profiles. In the second stage, the shunt capacitors sizing (SCS) is developed using another PSO to find the optimal sizing of shunt capacitors to further reduce the losses, improve voltage profiles, and compensate reactive power based on the optimal topology configuration found by the RTLS. This study is validated by using two well-established test cases: the IEEE 33-bus system and the IEEE 123 Feeder system. In addition, the proposed methodology is tested on a 7-bus case for further investigation. Results demonstrate significant reductions in active power losses and enhanced voltage profiles.