Optimization of placement of transformer substations in urban neighborhoods using genetic algorithm and pathfinding of electric power transmission lines on the map

Abstract

To define the placement of electric substations when designing power supply schemes in urban neighborhood is a challenging task since it is necessary to consider spatial restrictions when choosing routes for electric power lines. Thus, the selection of the substation distribution is usually limited by comparison of several variants. In the scientific literature, problems of optimization are usually considered without taking into account real environmental restrictions for the electric power transmission lines. And it significantly reduces the adequacy of the models used. Thus, the study of the possibilities to use both combinatorial optimization methods and the construction of minimum cost routes in the GIS environment to select the optimal layout of electrical substations when designing power supply schemes for urban neighborhood is relevant. The methods to determine the shortest paths on the graphs and the genetic algorithm search are used for the research. The map of the electric lines of Ivanovo city has been used as base data for calculation. A new method has been developed to determine the optimal number and placement of transformer substations to power a lot of buildings on the digital city map. A wave algorithm of cost surfaces is used to estimate the cost of laying cable electric power transmission lines from the consumer to any location of the transformer substation. A genetic algorithm is used to select the network structure. The research results have confirmed the possibility to determine the best transformer substation distribution using GIS with given spatial restrictions.