Optimal Switch Placement in Radial Distribution Networks to Reduce Energy Loss and Improve Network Security in Khuzestan Province Conditions

This paper develops a new model for the optimal placement of switches (both manual and automatic ones) in distribution networks to simultaneously reduce energy loss and improve network security. Expected energy not supplied (EENS) is assumed as the security index, and a method is developed for more exact calculation of this index regarding drastic climatic changes along with global warming and the resultant effects on both power consumption patterns and power network occurrence. The objective function of the problem is minimizing investment and maintenance costs, the cost of energy loss, and EENS cost. The suggested model can locate optimal places for installing the switches and their seasonal closed and open states so that the total costs can be minimized. The model is implemented on two test networks and evaluated under different scenarios. According to the results, despite the higher costs of automatic switches, the application of automatic switches is more economical in low-security networks for improving network security.