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Distribution System Reconfiguration for Loss Reduction using

Genetic Algorithm

Article  in  Journal of Electrical Systems · December 2006

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P. Subburaj J. Electrical Systems 2-4 (2006): 198-207
Research Scholar, National Engineering
JES
College, K.R.Nagar, Kovilpatti, Tamil Regular paper Journal of
Nadu, India. subbunec@yahoo.com Electrical
K. Ramar Distribution System Systems
Reconfiguration for Loss
Professor and Head National Engineering
College, K. R. Nagar, Kovilpatti, Tamil Reduction using Genetic
Nadu, India. Algorithm
kramar_nec@rediffmail.com

L. Ganesan
Professor and Head, A.C.College of
Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi,
Tamil Nadu, India.
drlgtny@yahoo.com

P. Venkatesh
Associate Professor, Thiagarajar College
of Engineering, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,
India
venkatesh_paramasivam@yahoo.com

Feeder reconfiguration is defined as altering the topological structures of distribution feeders by

changing the open/closed states of the sectionalizing and tie switches. In network
reconfiguration for loss reduction, the solution involves a search over relevant radial
configuration. In this paper, a method, based on genetic algorithm (GA) to determine the
minimum configuration is presented. A genetic algorithm (GA) is a search or optimization
algorithm based on the mechanics of natural selection and natural genetics. Since GA is
suitable to solve combinatorial optimization problems, it can be successfully applied to problems
of loss minimization in distribution systems. Test results are included to show the performance
of the proposed method.
Keywords: Network reconfiguration, Genetic algorithm, Loss minimization, Radial distribution
system, Power flow.

1. INTRODUCTION
Electrical distribution networks are built as interconnected and meshed networks.
However, they are arranged to be radial in operation. Their configurations may be varied
with manual or automatic switching operations so that, all the loads are supplied and reduce
power loss. Reconfiguration also relieves the overloading of the network components.
Feeder reconfiguration is performed by opening sectionalizing (normally closed) and
closing tie (normally open) switches of the network. These switching are performed in such
a way that the radiality of the network is maintained and all the loads are energized. A
normally open tie switch is closed to transfer a load from one feeder to another while an
appropriate sectionalizing switch is opened to restore the radial structure. The problem to
be addressed is, to determine the status of the network switches such that the reduction in
power loss is achieved. A number of papers have appeared on the general topic of feeder
reconfiguration as it applies to normal operating conditions. An early work on loss
reduction through network reconfiguration was presented by Civanlar et al. [1] which
described a formula to estimate the loss change resulting from the transfer of a group of
loads from one feeder to another feeder.

Copyright © JES 2006 on-line : journal.esrgroups.org/jes

 J. Electrical Systems 2-4 (2006): 198-207

This is done through the closing of a single tie switch and the opening of a single
sectionalizing switch. Baran et al. [2] described a reconfiguration methodology for loss
reduction and load balancing based upon considering branch exchange type switching.
Shirmohammadi et al. [3] described a technique for the reconfiguration of distribution
networks to decrease their resistive line losses and included results pertaining to large scale
system examples. Lubkeman et al. [4] presented an expert system using heuristic rules to
shrink the search space for reducing the computation time. However, only a feasible
solution can be obtained for knowledge based methods. Chiang et al. [5], [6] proposed new
solution methodologies using the simulated annealing algorithm for the network
reconfiguration. Goswami et al. [7] presented a heuristic algorithm for the reconfiguration
of feeders. Kochi Nara et al. [8] proposed network reconfiguration techniques for minimum
loss configuration using genetic algorithm (GA).Kim et al. [9] proposed a neural network-
based method with mapping capability to identify various network configurations
corresponding to different load levels. Borozan et al. [10] proposed an algorithm for
calculating Zloop matrix using the ordered network elements. Taleski et al. [11] proposed a
method to determine the network reconfiguration with minimum energy losses for a given
period. Jeon et al. [12] presented the simulated annealing algorithm with Tabu search for
loss reduction. The Tabu search attempted to determine a better solution in the manner of a
greatest - descent algorithm, but it could not give any guarantee of the convergence
property. Chin et al. [13] presented a ranking index method to determine the distribution
network reconfiguration problem for loss reduction. Morton et al. [14] presented a brute-
force solution for determining a minimal-loss radial configuration. The graph theory
involving semi sparse transformations of a current sensitivity matrix was used, which
guaranteed a globally optimal solution but needed an exhaustive search. Lin et al. [15]
presented a refined genetic algorithm (RGA) to reduce losses. In RGA, the conventional
crossover and mutation schemes were refined by a competition mechanism. Veerareddy et
al. [17] presented a two stage approach for determining the network reconfiguration, which
involves determining the loop for maximum loss reduction and distance center technique.
Prasad et al. [18] presented a fuzzy mutated genetic algorithm for optimal reconfiguration
of radial distribution systems. This method involves a new chromosome representation of
the network and a fuzzy mutation control for an effective search of solution space. Hong et
al. [16], [19] presented a method based on genetic algorithms (GA) and fuzzy multi
objective programming for determining the network reconfiguration in distribution systems.
A vertex encoding based on Prufer number was adopted in GA for encoding the
chromosomes. Sivanagaraju et al. [20] presented a method to determine the voltage stability
of radial distribution systems by network reconfiguration.
This paper discusses the problem of reducing power losses in distribution feeders via
feeder reconfiguration. The genetic algorithm is successively applied to the loss minimum
reconfiguration problem. In the proposed algorithm, strings consist of sectionalizing
switches, tie switches and fitness function consists of total system losses are formulated.
Numerical example is provided to show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed
algorithm. .

2. RADIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

In the figure, load points where the transformers are tapped off from the primary circuit is
marked by dots ‘.’. Also shown in the figure, there are two types of switches in the system.
Normally closed switches connecting the line switches (CB1-CB6) and normally open
switches on the tie lines connecting either two primary feeders (CB7) or two substations
(CB8) or loop type laterals (CB9).

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P. Subburaj et al: Distribution System Reconfiguration for Loss Reduction using Genetic Algorithm

Distribution systems are normally operated as radial networks. However, changing the
state of some sectionalizing switches changes configuration.
SS1
CB1 CB5

CB2
CB7

CB3 SS2

CB9 CB8 CB6

CB4

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of a primary circuit of a distribution system

The base network can be reconfigured by first closing a tie line switch (CB7). Since this
switching will create a loop in the system, a branch in the loop containing a switch has to be
opened (CB3) to restore the radial structure of the system. As a result of this, the loads
between the branches 8 and 11 will be transferred from one feeder to the other.
The load transfer between different substations can be obtained by branch exchange type
switching. By closing the sectionalizing switch (CB8) and opening (CB6), the loads at
branches 18, 19, 20 are transferred from SS2 to SS1.
The network reconfiguration is made
a) To reduce the system power loss.
b) To relieve the overloads in the network.
The test system consists of three feeders , 16 buses and 16 switches fig 4.Out of the 16
switches, 13 are normally closed (sectionalizing) and 3 are normally opened (tie) switches.
The operation of (s12, s15) makes transfer of load 5 from feeder 1 to feeder 2 by opening a
sectionalizing switch s12 and closing the tie switch s15. Hence, closing a switch should
always follow the opening of a switch. The load at bus 11 can be transferred to feeder 1 by
closing the tie switch 15 and opening the sectionalizing switch 19. Similarly, other loads
can be transferred from feeder by switching operations.

3. FORMULATION OF THE PROBLEM

In this section, the network reconfiguration problem for loss minimization is discussed in
detail. To simplify the presentation, we will represent the system on a per phase basis and
the load along a feeder section as constant P, Q loads placed at the end of the lines. It is
assumed that every switch is associated with a line in the system. The system of fig.1 can
be translated to an equivalent network as shown in fig.2.
In this figure, solid branches represent the lines that are in service and constitute the base
radial configuration; dotted branches (branches 20, 21, 22) represent the lines with open
switches. The base network can be reconfigured by closing an open branch, say branch 21
in the figure. Since this switching will create a loop in the system, (composed of branches
1, 2, 3, 21, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7 and 15), a branch in the loop containing a switch has to be
opened, say branch 7 , to restore the radial structure of the system. As a result of this
switching, the loads between the branches 7-11 will be transferred from one feeder to the
other.

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 J. Electrical Systems 2-4 (2006): 198-207

The network reconfiguration problem for loss reduction involves the load transfer between
the feeders or substations by changing the position of the switches. The radial configuration
corresponds to a “spanning tree” of a graph representing the network topology. The
minimal spanning tree problem can be stated as follows. Given a graph. Find a spanning
tree such that the objective function is minimized while the following constraints are
satisfied, (i) voltage constraints, (ii) radiality constraints. This is a combinatorial
optimization problem since the solution involves the consideration of all possible spanning
trees.
SS1
1 2 3 4 5 6

15 21 SS2

20 17
7 8 9 10 11 19 18
16

22
12 13 14

Fig. 2. One line diagram of a small distribution network

3.1 Mathematical Formulation

The loss reduction in network reconfiguration problem is formulated as
n −1
Pi 2 + Qi2
Min ∑r
i =0
i
Vi 2
(1)

Such that
Vi min < Vi < Vi max (2)

Where n = number of buses

ri = Resistance of the branch
Pi = Real power flowing through the branch
Qi = Reactive power flowing through the branch
Vi = Voltage at the receiving end of the branch.
The network reconfiguration has to obey the following rules:
1) No feeder section can be left out of service
2) Radial network structure must be retained.

2.3 Power flow equations

Power flow in a radial distribution network can be described by a set of recursive
equations called Dist Flow branch equations that use the real power, reactive power and
voltage at the sending end of a branch to express the same quantities at the receiving end of
the branch as

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P. Subburaj et al: Distribution System Reconfiguration for Loss Reduction using Genetic Algorithm

Pi 2 + Qi2
Pi +1 = Pi − ri − PLi +1
Vi 2
(3)
Pi 2 + Qi2
Qi +1 = Qi − x i − QLi +1 (4)
Vi 2

Pi 2 + Qi2
Vi 2+1 = Vi 2 − 2 (ri Pi + x iQi ) + (ri2 + x i2 ) (5)
Vi 2

0 i-1 i i+1 n
0

P0, Q0 Pi-1, Qi-1 Pi, Qi Pi+1, Qi+1 Pn, Qn

PLi-1, QLi-1 PLi, QLi PLi+1, Q

Li+1 PLn, QLn

Fig. 3. One line diagram of a radial network

Dist Flow branch equations can be written in backward, by using the real power, reactive
power, voltage at the receiving end of a branch to express the same quantities at the sending
end of the branch as
Pi ' 2 + Qi' 2
Pi −1 = Pi + ri + PLi (6)
Vi 2

Pi ' 2 + Qi' 2
Qi −1 = Qi + x i + QLi (7)
Vi 2

Pi ' 2 + Qi' 2
Vi −2 1 = Vi 2 + 2 (ri Pi ' + x iQi' ) + (ri2 + x i2 ) (8)
Vi 2

where
Pi ' = Pi + PLi (9)

and
Qi' = Qi + QLi (10)

3.3 Simplified dist flow method

The quadratic terms in the Dist Flow branch equations represent the losses on the branches
and hence they are much smaller than the branch power terms Pi, Qi. By dropping the second
order terms, the approximate power flow equations are of the form
Pi +1 = Pi − PLi +1 (11)

Qi +1 = Qi − QLi +1 (12)

Vi 2+1 = Vi 2 − 2 (ri Pi + x iQi ) (13)

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The power loss in a branch is expressed as

Pi 2 + Qi2
LPi = ri (14)
Vi 2

Where LPi = Power loss in ith branch

4. GA BASED ALGORITHM
The coding scheme and the step by step algorithm of the proposed GA for loss minimum
is given below. The coding scheme is illustrated in table I. ‘0’ indicates an ‘open’ switch
and ‘1’ indicates a ‘closed’ switch. There are 13 sectionalizing switches and 3 tie switches
for the 16-bus distribution system. Hence the GA encoding requires 16 bits for a
chromosome string as given in table I. The basic configuration of 16-bus distribution
system consists of three normally open tie-switches. Tie switches s15, s21, s26 are coded as
‘0’. The remaining 13 switches are coded as ‘1’.

Table I. Coding scheme for the distribution system.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

The proposed algorithm steps can be summarized as follows.

1. Read the bus data and line data for the distribution test system.
2. Generate number of random variables in 1 and 0‘s of 16 bit size as per the population
size and initialize maximum number of iterations for genetic algorithm.
3. Check the radiality; if the distribution network has no closed loops and all the loads
were connected, the network is radial, otherwise go to step2.
4. Choose the initial population that obeys the radiality and also check the sending end
and receiving end connection for the branches in the network.
5. Calculate the fitness for the population. (Eqn-1)
6. Perform cross over operation by taking two chromosomes at a time from the
population. Generate a random number for the crossover point. Perform crossover
operation by interchanging the bits in the left side of the cross over point.
7. Perform mutation operation (after cross over operation) by generating two random
numbers mutating the chromosomes and change the bit 1 to 0 or 0 to 1 for the two
chromosomes.
8. If the off spring does not obey the radiality replace it with 1’s.
9. Sort the population and off springs.
10. Choose the best individuals of population size according to their fitness.
11. Steps 6 to 10 are repeated until maximum iteration is reached.
12. The minimum loss, maximum loss, average loss and fitness values are displayed for
the given numbers of iteration.
13. The switch status for the minimum loss configuration is also displayed.
14. Stop the process.

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P. Subburaj et al: Distribution System Reconfiguration for Loss Reduction using Genetic Algorithm

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

To illustrate the efficiency of the proposed idea for network reconfiguration, 16 bus
distribution systems is used as test system. The numerical data for 16 bus distribution
system is tabulated in appendix. The simulation studies are carried out on Intel Pentium -
IV, 3.0 – GHz system in MATLAB environment.
The voltages for this system are calculated by the power flow equations. The real power
loss for the basic configuration is 0.006157 p.u. The switches that are opened are tie-
switches are s15, s21, s26 as shown in fig.6. The minimum voltage level is 0.970051 p.u.
The cross over rate and mutation rate are chosen as 0.8 and 0.05. The population size is
varied from 10 to 20. The no. of iterations is chosen as 200. The real power loss for the loss
minimum configuration is 0.005629 p.u. The minimum voltage level improves to 0.972244
p.u. The switches that are opened for the minimum loss configuration are s17, s19, s26 as
shown in fig. 4 and the status of the switch is also given in table IV. The fitness values for
various population sizes are compared and tabulated in table III.
The relative average fitness decreases gradually when the number of iterations increases
and reaches a constant value as shown in fig. 5.
It was observed that for low population size(10), the solution may not converge to
minimum loss configuration, while a population size of 20 gives minimum loss
configuration.
FEEDER-I FEEDER-II FEEDER-III

1 2 3
s16 s22
s11 8
s17 13
S s18 s21
s24
9
4 s12 s19
10 14
s15
s20
5 11 s23

s13 12

s14 s26 s25

6 7 16 15

Fig 4. Minimum loss configuration system

-3
x 10
7.4

7.2

7
Average fitness value

6.8

6.6

6.4

6.2

5.8
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
No.of iterations

Fig 5. Iteration performance for minimum loss configuration.

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 J. Electrical Systems 2-4 (2006): 198-207

Table II: Loss analysis of the test system

Minimum Loss
Loss Minimum / Basic Percentage
Voltage Improvement Configuration (p.u) Configuration %
(p.u)

Loss 0.006157 0.005629 8.58

Voltage 0.970051 0.972244 0.227

Table III: Fitness value results

Minimum Average Maximum
Population size
Fitness Value Fitness Value Fitness Value
10 0.005887 0.006032 0.006129
20 0.005629 0.005887 0.005817

Table IV: Switch status for the minimum loss configuration

1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

6. CONCLUSION
In this paper, distribution systems loss minimum re-configuration methodology using
genetic algorithm was proposed. The solution methodology employs a search over different
radial configurations by considering branch exchange type switching. GA was able to
produce a near optimal solution by adopting the adaptive nature of natural genetics. From
the numerical example, it was seen that the estimation method is computationally efficient
and the loss-reduction of 8.58% is achieved by this algorithm. This result demonstrates the
validity and effectiveness of the proposed methodology.

REFERENCES
[1] S. Civanlar, J. J. Grainger, H. Yin, S. S. H. Lee, Distribution feeder reconfiguration for loss
reduction, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.3,No.3,pp.1217-1223, July1998.
[2] M. E. Baran and F. F. Wu, Network reconfiguration in distribution systems for loss reduction
and load balancing, IEEE Trans. Power Del., Vol.4, No.2, pp1401-1409, April1989.
[3] D. Shirmohammadi and H. Wayne Hong, Reconfiguration of electric distribution networks for
resistive line losses reduction, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.4, No.2, pp1492-1498, April1989.
[4] T. Taylor and D. Lubkeman, Implementation of heuristic search strategies for distribution
feeder reconfiguration, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.5, No.1, pp239-246, Jan1990.
[5] H. D. Chiang and R. J. Jumeau, Optimal network reconfigurations in distribution systems:
part2: solution algorithms and numerical results, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.5, No.3, pp1568-
1574, July1990.
[6] H. D. Chiang and R. J. Jumeau, Optimal network reconfigurations in distribution systems:
part1: a new formulation and a solution methodology, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.5, No.4,
pp1902-1908, Nov 1990.
[7] S. K. Goswami and S. K. Basu,A new algorithm for the reconfiguration of distribution feeders
for loss minimization, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.7, No.3, pp1484-1491, July1992.

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[8] K. Nara, A. Shiose, M. Kitagawa, T. Ishihara, Implementation of genetic algorithm for

distribution systems loss minimum reconfiguration, IEEE Trans.Power Syst., Vol.7, No.3,
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reduction in distribution systems, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.8, No.3, pp1356-1366,
July1993.
[10] V. Borozan, D. Rajicic, R. Ackovski, Improved method for loss minimization in distribution
networks, IEEE Power Syst., Vol.10, No.3, pp1420-1425, August 1995.
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Trans.Power Syst., Vol.12, No.1, pp398-406, Feb1997.
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annealing and tabu search, in Proc.IEEE Power Eng.soc.Winter Meeting, Jan 2000, pp23-27.
[13] H. C. Chin and K. Y. Huang, A simple distribution reconfiguration algorithm for loss
minimization, IEEE Trans.Power Systems., Vol.2, No.2, pp607-611, May2000.
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reconfiguration problem, IEEE Trans.Power Del., Vol.15, No.3, pp996-1000, July2000.
[15] W. M. Lin, F.-S. Cheng, M. T. Tsay, Distribution feeder reconfiguration with redefined genetic
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[16] Y. Y. Hong and S. Y. Ho, Genetic algorithm based network reconfiguration for loss
minimization in distribution systems, proc., pp486-490, in IEEE Proc., 2003
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APPENDIX
FEEDER – I FEEDER - II FEEDER - III

1 2 3
s16 s22
s11 8
s17 13
s18 s24
s21
9
4 s12 s19
10 14
s15
s20
5 11 s23

s13 12

s14 s26 s25

6 7 16 15

Fig 6. Basic configuration of test system

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 J. Electrical Systems 2-4 (2006): 198-207

Table A: Switch Status

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

Table B: Network data for the 16-bus distribution system

Switch S. No & ID Bus Section Section End Bus Load End Bus Load End BusCapacitor
to Resistance Reactance (MW) MVAR MVAR
Bus (p.u) (p.u)
1. S11 1-4 0.075 0.10 2.0 1.6
2. S12 4-5 0.080 0.11 3.0 1.5 1.1
3. S13 4-6 0.090 0.18 2.0 0.8 1.2
4. S14 6-7 0.040 0.04 1.5 1.2
5. S16 2-8 0.110 0.11 4.0 2.7
6. S18 8-9 0.080 0.11 5.0 3.0 1.2
7. S17 8-10 0.110 0.11 1.0 0.9
8. S19 9-11 0.110 0.11 0.6 0.1 0.6
9. S20 9-12 0.080 0.11 4.5 2.0 3.7
10. S22 3-13 0.110 0.11 1.0 0.9
11. S24 13-14 0.090 0.12 1.0 0.7 1.8
12. S23 13-15 0.080 0.11 1.0 0.9
13. S25 15-16 0.040 0.04 2.1 1.0 1.8
14. S15 5-11 0.040 0.04
15. S21 10-14 0.040 0.04
16. S26 7-16 0.090 0.04

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