Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

In strategic planning of distribution network, the distribution planner need to evaluate the functionality of the networks on different case studies and various network conditions in order to establish an economic and reliable network. The fractal-based network model generation and Particle Swarm Optimization methods are used in this paper in order to model a distribution network considering the specified features of Malaysian electricity supply application handbook. The proposed method is able to optimize the settlement of consumers and substations based on the distribution planner desires. In the proposed approach 10000 network models have been generated for both urban and rural areas in order to find the adequate numbers of required substations. The results of the case study illustrated that the desired number of substations with acceptable range of violations are obtained from the proposed approach. The distribution network models are designed with settlement of LV consumers and optimum feeder routing from LV consumers connected to distribution transformers. Moreover, the optimum distribution transformers placement and size with optimum MV feeder routing connected to MV substation are modelled. It is concluded from the statistical analysis that proposed method could be utilized to generate the similar realistic network models for strategic assessment of distribution network planning.

Keywords: Distribution Network Modelling, Fractal Network Model Generation, Minimum Spanning Tree, Particle Swarm Optimization