Automated primary distribution system design: reliability and cost optimization

After the routing of a primary distribution system has been established, the system needs to be designed in detail-switches and protection devices must be placed, automation schemes must be decided upon, and so on. This design stage has a critical impact on the reliability and cost of a distribution system. This paper proposes an economic criterion for this design stage, compares several automated design methods, and identifies the algorithm best suited for distribution system reliability and cost optimization. This method is then applied to an existing utility distribution feeder and the results are discussed.