A Random Keys Genetic Algorithm Approach for Reconfiguration Problem in Distribution Power Networks

Power distribution companies around the world have been looking for ways to improve the quality of power transportation through their distribution networks, thereby improving the quality of product delivery to their consumers. The growing automation of distribution systems brings the possibility of changing the network configuration more easily, by means of maneuvers of the sectioning devices, enabling actions that allow the system to operate in the most adequate way, with reduction in losses and improvement in loading and voltage levels. The study of a configuration that minimizes losses by Joule effect has extreme importance to improve the performance of a system, with lower cost and still more sustainability avoiding waste. This work proposes the use of a random-key genetic algorithm implemented in a low-level language to obtain a good reconfiguration of the distribution system. The results are presented and compared with other works from literature, for different systems, aiming at obtaining a lower computational cost.