Optimal and Robust Distribution System Planning to Load Forecasting Uncertainty

This paper presents a new method for distribution system planning considering load uncertainty that the obtained network is robust to the load forecasting uncertainty. At first a method for optimal network planning ignoring load uncertainty has been presented and then by mixing this method with Monte Carlo Method, a novel method has been presented for planning distribution system considering load uncertainty. Supposing that the location and size of HV substations are obtained in another work, the optimal route of MV feeders are obtained through the new Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) developed for the optimal expansion planning of distribution network. In order to check the radial structure of the network obtained in any iteration of ICA, a novel mathematical algorithm is employed. For the scenario with considering load uncertainty, optimal network and the histogram figures for some electrical parameters of the optimal network are obtained. According to the results, the obtained optimal network is robust to the load uncertainty.