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, Electric distribution network reconguration based on a fuzzy multi-criteria

decision making algorithm, Electr. Power Syst. Res. (2009), doi:10.1016/j.epsr.2009.04.012
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Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Electric Power Systems Research
j our nal homepage: www. el sevi er . com/ l ocat e/ epsr
Electric distribution network reconguration based on a fuzzy multi-criteria
decision making algorithm
D.P. Bernardon
a,,1
, V.J. Garcia
a
, A.S.Q. Ferreira
a
, L.N. Canha
b
a
UNIPAMPA Federal University of Pampa, 97546550 Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
b
UFSM Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 11 February 2009
Received in revised form 20 April 2009
Accepted 21 April 2009
Available online xxx
Keywords:
Fuzzy algorithms
Multi-criteria decision making
Reliability
Power losses
Network reconguration
a b s t r a c t
Topological reconguration is an important tool for the planning and operation of electric power distri-
bution systems. The amount of time that an algorithm spends to obtain an alternative topological status
for the system is not a primary concern, as the main goals of distribution operation planning are the
reduction of power losses, the enhancement of the voltage prole, and the increase of reliability levels.
The utility can use multiple criteria regarding the observation of regulation policies and public awareness
to drive the topological reconguration. Several researchers are looking for new optimization methods,
as the complexity of this combinatorial issue is high in large systems and the classic optimization meth-
ods are failing to address the problem reasonably. Therefore, a new fuzzy multi-criteria decision making
algorithm for the proper processing of the information sources available at the utilities in the context
of distribution network reconguration is proposed. The algorithm is evaluated through the use of a
proof-of-concept implementation in a set of case studies based on actual distribution systems.
2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
Although power distribution systems are usually congured
radially, the act of opening or closing switches or protectiondevices
(located at strategic points) can possibly change the topology
of such systems. In this context, the network is recongured to
maintain its radial topology and also to reduce power losses at
the feeders, to enhance the voltage prole for customers, and to
increase the reliability levels.
Such reconguration problem is combinatorial, making pro-
hibitive the use of classical methods to solve it optimally [1]. In
general, this reconguration problem cannot be optimally solved
without considering (i) the proper modelling of the distribution
networks elements and the electrical loads, (ii) the algorithms to
handle conguration changes in the network topology in a timely
manner, (iii) the load ow calculations, (iv) the composition of the
objective functions and constraints, and (v) the optimization and
decision making techniques used to dene the ideal electrical con-
guration.
Several researchers have been working on the multi-criteria
reconguration problem. Baran [2], Hong [3], Nara [4], and Su [5]
describe the concepts and techniques used to address this problem.

Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 5192811760.

E-mail address: dpbernardon@gmail.com (D.P. Bernardon).
1
Member, IEEE.
Minimizationof power losses andmaximizationof the loadbalance
are the two most common criteria used to recongure networks.
The reconguration has also to consider radial topology, limits on
voltage and current proles constraints. Considering multi-criteria
methods in the resolution methodology, another aspect that must
be consideredis the uncertainty present inthe input data andinthe
degree of importance. This aspect is considered in the approaches
of Das [6], Kagan[7] andVenkatesh[8]. These approaches, however,
do not successfully explain howmembership functions are dened
to all the included fuzzy sets.
This paper presents a new algorithm for reducing power
losses and improving reliability on network recongurations. The
algorithm is based on fuzzy multi-criteria decision making and
is implemented in a proof-of-concept tool. The BellmanZadeh
method [9] for the fuzzy resolution methodology was chosen, as it
has been successfully applied to multi-criteria problems and pro-
motes nal solutions belonging to the Pareto objective space [10].
The algorithmcan be congured according to the needs of the util-
ities, helping in the decision making process. Tool support helps to
choose the option that meets the objective functions best, while
still observing the proposed constraints.
2. Modelling of power load proles
The modelling of power loads can help to correctly represent
their changes over time. It is one of the rst issues considered in
the development of efcient methods and tools to analyse distri-
0378-7796/$ see front matter 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.epsr.2009.04.012
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Fig. 1. Comparison between power load proles measured and modelled by the proposed and traditional methods considering work days: (a) TR-1 and (b) TR-2.
bution systems. Modelling methods need to work optimally with
the available information. Unfortunately, lack of information is an
inherent characteristic of distributions systems, which are usually
composed of several network sections, with several branches, and
covering wide geographical areas. In Brazil, for example, the util-
ities charge the customers based on the monthly electric energy
consumption, which has been proven insufcient to the distribu-
tion system analysis as it does not represent the day behaviour of
energy consumption.
Typical load curves have been used to satisfactorily represent
the hourly demand. Usually, they are normalized according to the
maximum active demand. The main challenges for the construc-
tion of typical load curves are related to the diversity of load types
(customers) found in distribution systems and to the huge number
of measurements needed [11]. Therefore, an alternative method for
constructing the typical load curves is proposed, with the follow-
ing advantages compared to the traditional statistical methods: the
reduction of the inuence of randomvalues and the decrease of the
quantity of required measures to obtain representative samples of
load types [12]. Instead of using the simple average to obtain the
active and reactive power values for an ordinate of the load typical
curve, the use of the following equation is proposed:
X
t
=
1
5

2M

X
t

+2Me

X
t

+Mo

X
t

(1)
where X
t
is the active (P
t
) or reactive (Q
t
) power value for hour
t of the typical load curve; M{X
t
} the sample average; Me{X
t
} the
sample median (central number of a sample); Mo{X
t
} is the sample
mode (more repeated value of a sample).
Each customer is associated to a typical load curve, according to
the monthly electric energy consumption and the economic activ-
ity data. This association also enables to know the load factor of a
typical load curve. The maximumdemand for a group of customers
k is calculated based on the load factor and on the monthly electric
energy consumption values:
P
Max
k
=
W
k
T f
Ck
(2)
where P
Max
k
is the maximum demand for a group of customers k
(kW); W
k
the monthly electric energy consumption (kWh); T is the
monthly period (h); f
Ck
is the load factor.
Since the typical curves used are normalized according to the
maximum active demand, the load curve for a group of customers
k can be built by multiplying each ordinate by this value:
P
kUt
= P
Max
k
P

kUt
;
P
kSt
= P
Max
k
P

kSt
;
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P
kDt
= P
Max
k
P

kDt
. (3)
Q
kUt
= P
Max
k
Q

kUt
Q
kSt
= P
Max
k
Q

kSt
;
Q
kDt
= P
Max
k
Q

kDt
(4)
where P

kt
and Q

kt
are the active and reactive power values, nor-
malized for ordinate t of typical curve k; U the working days; S the
saturdays; D is sundays or holidays.
The complete load curves for the distribution transformer j,
considering working days, saturdays and sundays, can be created
through the sum of the load curves of the several groups of cus-
tomers k connected to it:
P
jUt
=

k
P
kUt
; P
jSt
=

k
P
kSt
and P
jDt
=

k
P
kDt
(5)
Q
jUt
=

k
Q
kUt
; Q
jSt
=

k
Q
kSt
and Q
jDt
=

k
Q
kDt
(6)
Using these load curves, it is possible to analyse several load
levels according to the utilities requirements. Inthe network recon-
guration case studies, the maximum load prole was adopted
by properly representing the worst operation scenario considering
power losses.
Fig. 1 shows the comparison of the results obtained by applying
our proposed method and the traditional methods (use of simple
average) for modelling the power load prole. In this case, a feeder
was selected, whose two distribution transformers were measured.
Comparatively, the modelled curves are quite similar to the
measured curves (load prole and values). Although small, the
difference between the modelled loads shows that our proposed
method achieved a better result than the traditional methods,
because the values were closer of the measured.
3. Topology algorithm
A common approach for the topological representation of elec-
trical networks is the use of a matrix. In this approach, all the
connections between elements are expressed to enable that the
congurationof the representeddistributionnetwork canbe repro-
duced faithfully. However, for real distribution systems, the matrix
can be sparse, which can lead to unnecessary processing time. For
this reason, an alternative method was developed [13] to repre-
sent only the existing connections, without the use of matrices.
This method enables faster and simpler calculation of load ows
and execution of optimization algorithms.
Two sets are needed to represent information: one for the nodes
and another one for the branches. Each branch is represented by an
initial and a nal node. It is essential to set the initial node to be
the closest node from the main source providing power (i.e. the
substation).
This methodology allows the identication of dependen-
cies among the networks, loads and devices, and also checks
the conguration correctness and completeness. Therefore, two
characteristics are added to the elements to represent existing con-
nections between them:
Information about the branch within the branch set;
Information about the feeding branch of the branch being
considered.
The parameter is usedonly to identify the order of the network
branch within the branch set (we opted for a numerical order). The
Fig. 2. Representation of parameters and .
parameter receives the value of the parameter upstream of the
considered branch. Fig. 2 shows the representation of and .
The electric way of a radial system can be obtained using this
methodology, as shown in Table 1.
Sections 4 and 5 describe, respectively, the algorithms for load
ow calculation and for network reconguration. Both algorithms
consider the previously presented representation.
4. Algorithm of load ow
A version of the classical backward/forward sweep algorithmto
calculate the load ow in radial distribution networks is provided
in [14]. The solution is found only iteratively, because the loads are
modelled as constant power and because the current absorbed by
the loads depends onthe voltage (anunknownvalue). The resulting
procedure is described as follows:
1st Stage: Let the voltage at all points of the feeder be equal to the
voltage measured at the substation bar. This data can be automat-
ically gathered by the remote measurement systems installed at
the substations. Do not consider voltage drops in the branches at
this stage.
2nd Stage: Compute the active and reactive components of the
primary currents absorbed and/or injected in the system by the
electrical elements.
3rd Stage: Obtain the current in all network branches. This stage
includes two steps: (a) search the node set to dene the current
values of each branch, and (b) accumulate the currents from the
nal sections upstream to the substation.
4th Stage: Compute the voltage drops in the branches.
5th Stage: Obtain the accumulated voltage drops in all the pri-
mary network sections fromthe substation bar, thus obtaining the
voltage values at any other point.
6th Stage: Compute the difference between the new voltage val-
ues for all nodes and the previous values. If it is small enough,
the solution for the load ow calculation was found and the sys-
tem is considered convergent. Otherwise, the previous steps are
repeated, starting fromthe second stage, using the computed volt-
ages to obtain the current values. The iteration stops when the
difference found is lower than a threshold. In this paper, a thresh-
Table 1
Network in Fig. 2.
Initial node Final node Characteristic Characteristic
0 1 1
1 2 2 1
2 3 3 2
3 4 4 3
4 5 5 4
3 6 6 3
6 7 7 6
1 8 8 1
8 9 9 8
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old of 1% was chosen, because it promotes accurate values for the
status variables without requiring too much time to process.
In the end of the process, the active and reactive powers and the
technical losses in the primary conductors are dened for all feeder
branches.
5. Distribution network reconguration
An optimization problem is derived from the switching proce-
dures to change the network topology. This problem is known as
the network reconguration problem. The main goal is to nd an
optimal operation strategy.
An efcient solution for this problem requires the selection of
the most appropriated operation topology among all the available
congurations. Thecost of inspectingall thepossiblecongurations
is prohibitive for current distribution systems, as the number of
possible congurations grows exponentially given the number of
switches and their layout in the system. Such exponential growth
is known as a combinatorial explosion [15].
Therefore, a heuristic algorithm for the solution of the dis-
tribution network reconguration problem is proposed, using an
efcient fuzzy multi-criteria decision making method. It removes
the less promising congurations, aiming at reducing the search
space of the optimization problem. The goal is to reduce power
losses, enhance the voltage prole for customers, and increase the
reliability levels.
The optimization criteria and the constraints according to the
inherent characteristics of the problem are dened, to the regula-
tion policies, and to public awareness.
5.1. Objective functions and constraints
Several aspects are considered in the denition of the objective
function of the network reconguration problem. The minimiza-
tion of power losses is one of the most commonly considered ones,
together with the maximization of the reliability indexes, used by
several researchers as another aspect to be addressed [16].
The current limit on the electrical elements (conductors, trans-
formers, protection and switching devices) is a typical constraint
included in the network reconguration problem. Another impor-
tant and frequent constraint is the voltage limit, closely related to
power quality [17].
Considering the previous comments, the objective functions and
constraints are dened as follows:
Objective functions:

Minimization of power losses:

Minf
L
=

i
3

I
i

2
r
i
. (7)

Minimization of the number of interrupted customers per year:

Minf
R
=

j
(
0n

Protjn
C
Protjn
). (8)
Constraints:

Radial network;

Current magnitude of each element must lie within their permis-

sible limits:

I
i

I
i max
. (9)

Voltage magnitude of eachnode must lie withintheir permissible

ranges:
V
j min
V
j
V
j max
. (10)
where f
L
is the loss function; f
R
the reliability function; I
i
the
current at branch i; I
i max
the maximumcurrent accepted at branch
i; r
i
the resistance of branch i; V
j
the voltage magnitude at node j;
V
j min
the minimum voltage magnitude accepted at node j; V
j max
the maximum voltage magnitude accepted at node j;
0n
the
failure rates at feeder n average interruptions per year in 1km;

Protjn
the length of branches protected by the protective device
j at feeder n; C
Protjn
is the number of customers downstream the
protective device j at feeder n.
The load ow method presented in Section 4 computes the
power losses in the distribution network. Traditional reliability
equations [18] are used to compute the number of interrupted cus-
tomers per year. Note that this objective function is closely related
to SAIFI (SystemAverage Interruption Frequency Index). Violations
of limits related to current and voltage on the electrical elements
are prohibited.
5.2. The proposed method for selecting congurations
Heuristic search procedures in the denition of the proposed
methodology is considered, based on the branch-exchange strategy
[19]. Using this strategy, a radial conguration is assumed at rst
and several switching procedures are applied, aiming at producing
newandpromisingcongurations, always maintainingthenetwork
radial topology. These applied procedures correspond to open one
switch and to close another one.
The generated congurations are then classied accord-
ing to the dened objective functions, while still considering
the chosen constraints. Note that infeasible solutions are
removed.
The key idea is to analyse the tie (normally opened) switches
between feeders. For each tie-switch, the best conguration is con-
sideredregardingthetwofeeders involved. Inthis moment, isolated
analyses for each tie-switch are conducted based on the initial con-
guration.
The algorithm for selecting the candidate congurations is
dened as follows:
1st Stage: Change the network conguration, closing an NO
(normally opened) tie-switch and opening an NC (normally
closed) switch of any of the two feeders involved. However,
it should be the rst switch upstream from the tie-switch
(Fig. 3).
2nd Stage: Perform the load ow calculation for this new congu-
ration and check if both objective functions are improved without
violating the constraints. If they are improved, proceed to the 3rd
stage. Otherwise, go to the 4th stage.
3rd Stage: Change the network conguration, closing the actual
NO tie-switch and opening the rst NC switch upstream from
the NO tie-switch, but in the same direction (feeder) that the
switch was opened in the previous iteration (Fig. 4). Go to the 5th
stage.
4th Stage: Re-establish the initial conguration and change the
network topology, closing the NO tie-switch and opening the NC
switch of the other feeder upstream from the tie-switch (Fig. 5).
Go to the 5th stage.
5th Stage: The 3rd stage is performed when both objective func-
tions are improved for the considered conguration without
violating the dened constraints. The process is completed and
conguration of the previous iteration is assumed as nal if infea-
sibility is found or one of the objective functions does not improve
a given conguration.
The process must be repeated when another tie-switch is anal-
ysed, beginning from the initial conguration.
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Fig. 3. Distribution network: (a) initial conguration and (b) switching status
changed.
5.3. The multi-criteria decision making algorithm
This section presents the algorithm for determining the dis-
tribution network conguration, based on multi-criteria analysis.
The main goal is to dene a sequence of switch manipulations
according to the results obtained from the application of the
method described in the previous section. Multi-criteria analy-
sis guides the switch manipulation, aiming at reaching the best
conguration resulting from the application of our proposed
methodology.
The algorithm is applied to the tie-switches according the best
results, without returning back to the initial conguration when
analysing the next tie-switch. The mainchallenge is to dene which
Fig. 4. Switching status changed.
Fig. 5. Switching status changed on the opposite direction.
tie-switches hold the best results according to the two objective
functions. For example, one conguration has the most promising
values for power losses, whereas the other one is better evaluated
for the reliability function. A decision making algorithm is the key
for deciding which conguration is the best.
The BellmanZadeh method [9] is used as the decision making
technique for our approach because of its efciency in handling
quantitative and qualitative criteria for the problemresolution. The
objective functions are replaced by other functions in the form of
fuzzy sets.
Eqs. (11) and (12) describe two membership functions: one for
objective functions to be maximized and another one for objective
functions to be minimized, respectively:

A
j
(x) =
F
j
(x)
max
x Dx
F
j
(x)
, (11)

A
j
(x) =
min
x Dx
F
j
(x)
F
j
(x)
, (12)
The maximumintersection between the membership functions
is the best congurationi.e. the best solution, as shown in the
following equation.
max
x Dx

D
(x) = max
x Dx
min
j=1,...,n

A
j
(x). (13)
Fig. 6 illustrates this approach.
Tables 2 and 3 showthe results of a hypothetical example of the
applicationof the BelmanZadehalgorithmfor selecting congura-
tion of distribution networks with ve tie-switches (Fig. 7) whose
membership functions are calculated from the Eq. (11).
This analysis denes the best sequence of tie-switches. Consid-
ering the data in Table 2, for example, the best sequence is TS-5,
TS-4, TS-2, TS-1, and TS-3. Additional analysis can be conducted for
each switch in this sequence. The initial conguration is considered
Fig. 6. Intersection between the membership functions.
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Fig. 7. Example network with ve tie-switches.
Table 2
Analysis of results for each tie-switch.
Tie-switch Power losses reduction Number of interrupted
customers per year reduction
TS-1 P
1
=25kW
1
=200
TS-2 P
2
=30kW
2
=300
TS-3 P
3
=20kW
3
=180
TS-4 P
4
=40kW
4
=250
TS-5 P5 =35kW 5 =300
max F
j
(x) 40kW 300
only for the rst one. At the end of this process, the set containing
the switches that yield the best results is obtained.
6. Experimental analysis
The proposed algorithm is tested in one medium size distri-
bution network, presented by Schmidt [20], which includes 96
branches and 28 switches. The best solution for this network was
previously obtained by the exhaustive search considering only the
minimization of power losses, as shown in Table 4.
Case studies are considered including existing networks to ver-
ify the efciency of approach. Fig. 8 presents this network, which
includes 2 substations, 5 feeders, 922 branches, 99 switches, and 15
tie-switches.
Tables 5 and 6 present the results obtained by the application
of our approach to the actual system. Table 7 shows the obtained
results for the proposed method compared to the initial congura-
tion, considering the actual system.
Analysing Table 7, the proposed methodology obtained a reduc-
tion on the power losses of 22.7%, and on the number of interrupted
Fig. 8. Actual distribution network considered.
customers per year of 12.5%, when compared to the initial congu-
ration.
Assuming that there are no guarantees about the optimality of
the solution found, the proposed algorithmwas applied to the nal
solutionfound, describedinTable 6. Giventhat the process does not
yield any improvements, we have been optimistic about the qual-
ity of the solution obtained. The computational time required was
less than 4min to the large system, which seems to be appropriate
for an actual network. In spite of the increasing computation time
comparing to other methods, the values are reasonable with regard
to the complexity of the studied systems.
Table 3
Membership functions values and fuzzy solutions.
Tie-switch Power losses reduction Number of interrupted customers per year reduction Intersection of pertinence functions
TS-1
P
1
(x) = 0.63

1
(x) = 0.67 min
P
1
,

1
= 0.63
TS-2
P
2
(x) = 0.75

2
(x) = 1.00 min
P
2
,

2
= 0.75
TS-3
P
3
(x) = 0.50

3
(x) = 0.60 min
P
3
,

3
= 0.50
TS-4
P
4
(x) = 1.00

4
(x) = 0.83 min
P
4
,

4
= 0.83
TS-5
P
5
(x) = 0.88

5
(x) = 1.00 min
P
5
,

5
= 0.88
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Table 4
Results for the reconguration problem.
Parameter Schmidt Method A Schmidt Method B Proposed Method
Initial solution loss (kW) 1447.93 1447.93 1447.93
Optimal solution loss (kW) 1251.55 1251.55 1251.55
Obtained loss (kW) 1320.10 1253.24 1251.55
Difference (%) 5.5 0.1 0.0
Processing time (2.66GHz) (s) 0.16 0.18 18.4
Table 5
Results for each tie-switch analysis.
Individual analysis
(tie-switch)
Power losses
reduction (kW)
Number of interrupted
customers per year reduction
Fuzzy index Sequence
TS-1 0.1 5,185.6 0.002 5
TS-2 0.0 0.0 0.000 6
TS-3 2.3 13,350.3 0.055 4
TS-4 0.0 0.0 0.000 7
TS-5 0.0 0.0 0.000 8
TS-6 0.0 0.0 0.000 9
TS-7 30.2 10,985.0 0.714 2
TS-8 42.2 14,656.8 0.953 0
TS-9 27.6 10,985.0 0.654 3
TS-10 35.7 15,387.7 0.846 1
TS-11 0.0 0.0 0.000 10
TS-12 0.0 0.0 0.000 11
TS-13 0.0 0.0 0.000 12
TS-14 0.0 0.0 0.000 13
TS-15 0.0 0.0 0.000 14
Table 6
Results for the sequence dened in Table 5.
Reconguration
sequence (tie-switch)
Power losses
reduction (kW)
Number of interrupted
customers per year reduction
TS-8 42.2 14,656.8
TS-10 0.0 0.0
TS-7 0.0 0.0
TS-9 6.5 517.7
TS-3 2.0 13,350.3
TS-1 0.0 0.0
TS-2 24.8 2,538.7
TS-4 0.0 0.0
TS-5 0.0 0.0
TS-6 0.0 0.0
TS-11 1.0 923.8
TS-12 0.0 0.0
TS-13 0.4 62.4
TS-14 0.0 0.0
TS-15 0.0 0.0
Total 76.9 32,049.7
Reduction 22.7% 12.5%
Table 7
Results for the network reconguration of Fig. 8.
Conguration Power losses Number of interrupted
customers per year
Initial 338.89kW 255,930.4
Proposed 261.99kW 223,880.7
Reduction 22.7% 12.5%
7. Conclusions and recommendations
The main contribution of this work is a newfuzzy multi-criteria
decision making algorithm for the network reconguration prob-
lem. The algorithm focuses on both power losses reduction and on
the improvement of reliability. Furthermore, the alternative meth-
ods for modelling power load proles and electric topology were
presented. The exibility of the proposed methodology provides
a wide audience for the developed tool support, resulting in a
useful, reliable and easy-to-use tool for utilities. Case studies were
conducted with real data fromutilities to evaluate the performance
of the developed software application, which provided promising
results.
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Daniel Pinheiro Bernardon was born in Santa Maria, Brazil on the 15th of September
1977. He received his Dr. Eng. degree fromFederal University of Santa Maria, in 2007,
and has been a professor of Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Pampa,
since 2008. His research interests include distribution systemanalysis, planning and
operation, besides working for 8 years in Operation of Electric Systems.
Vincius Jacques Garcia was born in Santo ngelo, Brazil on the 1st of April 1976. He
received his Dr. Eng. degree fromState University of Campinas in 2005 and has been
a professor of Computer and Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Pampa
since 2006. His research interests include distribution system analysis, planning,
operation and combinatorial optimization.
Adriana Scheffer Quintela Ferreira was born in Volta Redonda, Brazil on the 24th of
June 1975. She received her Dr. Eng. degree from University of Campinas, in 2006,
and has been a professor of Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Pampa,
since 2008. Her research interests include transmission system analysis, planning
and operation.
Luciane Neves Canha was born in Santa Maria, Brazil on the 16th of March 1971. She
received her Dr. Eng. degree from Federal University of Santa Maria, in 2004, and
has been a professor of Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Santa Maria,
since 1997. Her research interests include distribution systemanalysis, planning and
operation, distributed generation and renewable energy.