Computer-Aided Planning of Distribution Substation and Primary Feeders

This paper presents an improved technique for optimal planning of substations and primary feeders in power distribution systems. The technique employs an accurate, time-phased cost model and incorporates a flexible planning formulation which suits detailed analysis of limited sized distribution networks as well as approximate analysis of large scale distribution networks. The cost model includes explicit time-dependent fixed and variable charges for planned facilities as well as the cost of power losses. The planning formulation incorporates user-defined constraints on voltage drop in primary feeders. Constraints on radial power flow are automatically set by the algorithm. The planning problem is solved using an advanced, sparsity-based mixed-integer linear programming code.