Electrical Power & Energy Systems, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp.
247-258, 1998
ELSEVIER PII: S0142-0615(98)00005-2
Artificial neural network
approach to network
reconfiguration for loss
minimization in distribution
networks
M A Kashem a, G B Jlasmon a, A M o h a m e d b and
M Moghavvemi c
aUniversiti Telekom, Melaka, Malaysia
bUniversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
CUniversiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Network reconfiguratior.,, of distribution systems is an
operation in configuration management that determines
the switching operations for a minimum loss condition. An
artificial neural network (ANN)-based network recon-
figuration method is developed to solve the network
reconfiguration problem to reduce the real power loss in
distribution networks. Training-sets for the ANN are gener-
ated by varying the constant P - Q load models and carrying
out the off-line network reconfiguration simulations. The
developed ANN model is .based on the multilayer perceptron
network and training is done by the back propagation algo-
rithm. The trained ANN models determine the optimum switch-
ing status of the dynamic switches along the feeders of the
network, which thereby reduce real power loss by network
reconfiguration. The proposed ANN method is applied to the
16-bus test system. Test results indicate that the developed
ANN models can provide accurate and fast prediction of
optimum switching decisions for minimum loss configuration.
The proposed ANN method is compared with Kim's method
[IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 8, 1356-1366
(1993)] and a comparative study is presented. The proposed
method can achieve minimum loss configuration with drastic
reductions in the number of ANNs and less computational
time. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: artificial neural networks, network reconfigura-
tion, loss minimization, distribution networks
Received 22 June 1997; revised 30 October 1997; accepted 4
December 1997
247
© 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Printed in Great Britain
0142-0615/98/$19.00+0.00
I. Introduction
Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of
artificial neural networks (ANNs) in solving various power
system problems [1-9]. The first application of ANNs
appeared in 1975 for load forecasting of self-learning
machines [1]. It was only after 1988 that more work on
ANNs was carried out in power system applications. Dillon
et al. [2] applied a single-layer neural network for load
forecasting of a power system. ANNs have also been applied
to static security and dynamic security assessment [3,4].
Recently, ANNs have also been applied in the field of control
and observability analysis [5-9]. Kim et al. [8] utilized
ANNs for loss minimization on the Korean distribution
system. It was shown that their developed network recon-
figuration strategy using ANN can provide the optimal
solution for loss minimization of both constant and sudden
load variations, and it also has the capability of a high-speed
control strategy decision. Kim showed that the method using
ANN is more suitable for on-line implementation compared
with quadratic programming, simulated annealing and heur-
istic methods. ANNs are powerful in solving problems that
are inherently non-linear. ANN-based methods are non-
algorithmic and require no prior knowledge of the functions
that relate the problem variables, and do not make any
approximation as in the case of most of the mathematical
models used [10].
In this paper the application of ANNs in the analysis of
network reconfiguration for loss minimization is also pro-
posed. The loss minimization algorithm of Refs. [11,12] is
used in the generation of ANN training-sets by off-line
248 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al
simulations. From the simulation results, two types of
switches are identified, namely static and dynamic switches.
Switches are classified on the basis of the changing of the
network configuration for loss minimization at the variation
of load patterns. Static switches are switches that remain in a
constant state. Therefore, ANNs are designed for dynamic
switches only as the change of dynamic switching states
provides the loss-minimum configuration from time to time.
Training-sets for designed ANNs are generated by carrying
out the network reconfiguration loss minimization simula-
tion using the fast branch-exchange method of Ref. [ 11,12].
The trained ANN model is able to predict switching states of
the dynamic switches that are used to reconfigure the net-
work for minimum losses.
The approach developed in this paper is different from the
method developed in Ref. [8] in that the total number of
ANNs has been reduced by using a computational layer
before the input layer of the ANN. The computational layer
is a load estimation software that determines the approx-
imate load profile using the P - Q loads in the load buses. The
proposed ANN method is not dependent on the system size
(or the number of load buses) as compared with the method
of Ref. [8]. In Ref. [8] an ANN for each load zone (or load
bus) has been designed to determine the approximate loads
and the number of ANNs in this group depends on the
number of load buses in the system. The second group of
ANNs has been designed to determine the optimal system
topology by using the load profile estimated by the first
group of ANNs. However, in this paper the method has
implemented only one group of ANNs to obtain the most
appropriate network reconfiguration strategy for loss mini-
mization.
The objective of applying ANNs to network reconfigura-
tion for loss minimization is to determine the switching
status of the dynamic switches in the feeders that provide a
minimum loss configuration to the network. To achieve this,
ANNs are trained by supervised learning processes to
associate the dynamic (or time-varying) loads of a power
system with its network switching conditions (ON/OFF),
which is characterized by the power system parameters. As
the training-sets of ANNs are built for various load patterns
of the time-varying load demands in the network, the
developed ANN model can provide a fast prediction of
optimal or near-optimal system configuration.
II. ANN approach to network reconfiguration
for loss minimization
As an artificial neural network (ANN) learns a tremendous
variety of pattern-mapping relationships, it can be used for
any type of problem that is formulated as pattern recognition.
A network reconfiguration problem is one example that can
be formulated into a pattern recognition problem based on
the load profile. An ANN is used to map the non-linear
relationship between the load patterns and the corresponding
switching states in the network configuration. A few
sectionalizing switches change their ON/OFF conditions
from time to time to obtain loss-minimum configuration.
ANNs are designed to determine the most appropriate
switching states of these dynamic switches in the system
according to the load pattern.
Load variation of the network is reflected in the selected
load patterns for the training-sets. The training-sets are
prepared by carrying out the network reconfiguration loss
minimization simulation using the branch-exchange method
described in Refs. [11,12]. The output patterns of the
training-sets are the ON/OFF states of the sectionalizing
switches that are to be exchanged with the tie switches. The
sectionalizing switches, which are required to operate dyna-
mically according to the load variations, are identified as
dynamic or sensitive switches. The ON/OFF states of these
sensitive switches are determined by the trained neural
networks. The performance of the developed ANN model
will be tested to ensure that it can be applied to the network
reconfiguration problem so that loss minimization of the
distribution system can be achieved. The developed
approach concentrates on the generation of the training-
sets and the development of the ANN.
II. 1 Training-set generation
The training-sets of the developed ANN are generated by
considering the factors described in the following sections.
I1.1.1 Grouping of loads
ANN is trained on the basis of the input-output training-sets.
The training-set is prepared as the optimal system config-
uration to various load patterns so that the loads are at
minimum line losses. A combination of loads for all the
load buses is called a load pattern. Load patterns are
generated by considering the variation of loads at all the
load buses. The load is classified into several levels, in terms
of the percentage of the peak demand as proposed in Ref. [8].
If a given distribution system is composed of p load buses
and each load bus changes its load independently, the total
combination numbers will be increased by m p, where m is the
number of load levels. Thus, the size of the training-sets will
be increased by m p, which makes it impossible to train an
ANN. Therefore, to reduce the size of the training-sets, the
load buses are clustered into several independent load
groups.
The loads of the network are divided into three load
groups such as residential, commercial and industrial [8].
The load characteristics of each group are similar and their
load duration curves are also unique. Therefore, the changes
of loads in each load group show a similar trend, rather than
changing differently. By considering only three load groups,
the number of load level combinations is reduced to m 3 and
hence m 3 load patterns are generated for the training-sets.
II. 1.2 Loss-minimum configuration
In an automated distribution system, the configuration is
altered from time to time to obtain a loss-minimum config-
uration at all times so that the loads are supplied at a cost of
minimum power losses. The change in configuration is
performed via ON/OFF operation of sectionalizing and tie
switches along the feeders. These switching states are
determined according to the simulation results of the net-
work reconfiguration algorithm. Therefore, the function of
the network reconfiguration algorithm is to determine the
status (ON/OFF) of these switches for loss minimization.
For off-line simulations, load combinations are formed by
using the load grouping and load levelling technique pro-
posed in Ref. [8]. For each load combination or load pattern,
the network reconfiguration algorithm of Refs. [11,12] is
used to determine the switching status (ON/OFF) of the
sensitive switches that give the minimum loss configuration.
The procedure for determining the switching options has
been described in Refs. [11,12]. The switching options will
be operated for the optimal configuration at a particular load
pattern, which minimizes the line losses. Therefore, a train-
ing-set is composed of a load pattern as the input, and the
switching options as the corresponding output.
 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al 249

I LoadP,Q LoadP,Q 2 LoadP,Q ..........................] LoadP,Q

atoadbu I I at'oadbu at load bus 3 I at loadbus n

l COMPUTATIONALLAYER
1
(Load estimationfor 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90"/oand 100%of peakdemand)

I ~teh lJ Lsitiveswitch2] ~idve switchn

'11

Switching states Switchingstates Switching states

1/0 1/0 1/0

Figure 1. AN N design for network reconfiguration loss minimization

Table 1. Load levels for approximate load estimation

Level number Actual loads Estimated loads
(in % of peak demand) (in % of peak demand)
1 ~ 45 40
2 46-55 50
3 56-65 60
4 66-75 70
5 76-85 80
6 86-95 90
7 96 ~ 100

II. 1.3 Sensitive switch identification 11.2 ANN design

The switching options for all load patterns generated by the
different load types indicate that sectionalizing switches can
be classified into two groups: one is called static switch,
which remains unchanged, and the other is called dynamic or
sensitive switch, which is required to operate for recon-
figuration of the network. Such a classification is made
because only the ON/OFF conditions of sensitive switches
can minimize losses for any combination of loads.
II. 1.4 Sensitive switch, versus loss reduction and
neural network
An ANN is developed for each sensitive switch to determine
its ON/OFF condition at a particular load pattern. The number
of ANNs will be equal to the number of sensitive switches
of the system, which are identified by the branch-exchange
method. Referring to Figure 1, inputs to the ANNs are the
load patterns and output of the ANNs are the switching states
" 1 " or " 0 " of the sensitive switches where " 1 " is for close
(ON state) and " 0 " is for open (OFF state). Therefore, the
output of all the ANNs will produce an optimal configuration
for a specified load pattern and the system is to be operated on
this configuration for loss minimization. Once the training is
completed, the ANN model can be used as a black-box for
solving the network reconfiguration loss minimization problem.
The input-output relationship of the network reconfigura-
tion problem is highly non-linear. It is desirable to use a
computational layer (before the input layer of ANN), which
is connected in cascade with the ANN so that non-linearity is
substantially reduced. The computational layer helps the
ANN to trace the load profile of the network and it deter-
mines the estimated loads according to the range of the
actual loads as shown in Table 1. The estimated loads help to
reduce the number of inputs into the ANNs. Figure 1 shows
the overall ANN design, which determines the most appro-
priate switching states of a new configuration so that power
loss is minimized under the current load pattern. The design
is composed of one calculation block and one neural network
block. The calculation block is the program to estimate the
approximate loads using load levels by simple arithmetical
operations with the load data. The estimated P-Q loads are
the inputs to the ANNs. ANNs recognize the current load
pattern and determine the switching states of the sensitive
switches.
11.3 ANN software development
The developed ANN software package comprises several
function modules as shown in Figure 2. The function
250 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al

pattern for each set of input load patterns using the branch-
exchange algorithm and hence it builds training-sets for
neural network training. The back error propagation learning
algorithm described in Appendix A is a program imple-
mented in FORTRAN that trains neural networks based on
the training-set built by the training-set builder. When ANNs
are trained satisfactorily, the final weight set is stored for
testing. Neural network emulator is a program used to test
the performance of the developed ANN at any random test
sets. All the above programs are written in FORTRAN.
The step-by-step procedures in developing the ANN
model for network reconfiguration is described as follows.

orp r o p ~ (1) Obtain a set of training data for each of the ANNs by
carrying out the network reconfiguration loss minimiza-
tion simulation using a fast branch-exchange method for
a pre-selected set of load data. This task is done by the
training-set builder.
(2) Train all of the ANNs designed for the sensitive switches
until a satisfactory convergence is obtained. The root-
mean-square (RMS) error is usually calculated to reflect
NeW'networkem~l~ the degree to which learning has taken place in the
network. Generally, an RMS value below 0.1 indicates
that a network has learned its training-set [10].
(3) Observe the cases where the iteration converges to a
local minima. Local minima occur when the network
C res
onse > finds an error that is lower than the surrounding possi-
bilities, but does not finally get to the smallest possible
Figure 2. Neural network software development error. In this case, the network gets stuck and stops
learning altogether. It can be eliminated by repeating the
training procedure with different initial values of
the weights and thresholds.
(4) Adjust the learning rate, 7, momentum, m and number of
hidden nodes, n h in order to obtain the most accurate
ANN output.
(5) Store the final weights and threshold values.

~est sets~ (6) Test the accuracy of the ANNs using the weight and
threshold values obtained from Step 5. If ANN response
is accurate, then go to the next step. Otherwise repeat
Steps 2-5.
1 (7) Apply the developed ANN model to determine the
optimal solution of network reconfiguration for any
given set of load data.

solutionby 11.4 Testing procedure of the developed ANN

of
Figure 3. Neural network test procedure
modules are the programs composed of the training-set
builder, the learning algorithm, and the neural network
emulator. The training-set builder is developed to obtain
the training patterns for a given distribution system and it is
implemented in FORTRAN. It generates the combination of
load level m k where the number of load levels is m and the
group number of the load bus is k. It also generates the output
models
The performance of the trained ANNs are tested with the
arbitrary input load patterns that are chosen according to
the variation of load groups--residential, commercial and
industrial. It is assumed that the loads in each group varies
coherently with the same characteristics. The test-set builder
is developed to obtain the actual network configuration by
carrying out simulation using the branch-exchange method.
All the input test sets will be applied as inputs to the neural
network emulator as shown in Figure 3.
The neural network emulator will generate the response
for each test case. The neural network evaluator will then
check the accuracy of the response of the trained ANN by
comparing it with the actual solution obtained from simula-
tion. Therefore, the neural network evaluator is the program
to test the accuracy of the developed ANN.
III. A test case
The ANN models have been developed for the 16-bus
 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al 251

Table 2. Seven unique configurations from the 343 load patterns

Configura- Sectionalizing switch Tie switch
tion
number S1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 S10 Sll S12 S13 T14 T15 T16
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1
3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1
4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
6 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1
7 1 1 (3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0
Note: 0 = open status of the switch; 1 ----close status of the switch

Table 3. Grouping of switches in terms of their operating conditions

Static switches Dynamic switches (or sensitive switches) Tie switches
S1 $3 T14
$2 $9 T15
$4 S12 T16
$5 S13
$6
$7
$8
$10
Sll

FEEDER 1 FEEDER 2
B B(
S1 $5
B: $4 45 ..... B3 $8 B~0"Ti"6"~16 S13
TI4"'~..,. S S12 and S13 and these switches determine the 7 unique
gll'~L -B8
S~
B!
Figure 4. Schematic diagram of a 16-bus distri-
bution system
distribution system as shown in Figure 4. The line parameter
and peak load demand of each distribution line are tabulated
in Appendix B. The distribution system consists of 13
sectionalizing switches indicated by S1-S13 and 3 tie
switches indicated by T14-T16 in which each line contains
an ON/OFF switch.
II1.1 Determination of system topology
The peak load demand i,; considered because load patterns
are generated from the minimum to the maximum load
supplied at each load bus. The loads are divided into the
three load groups, i.e. the residential (R), the commercial (C)
and the industrial (I) load groups. The load level of each load
bus is further divided into seven levels such as 40%, 50%,
60%, 70%, 80%, 90% ~aad 100% of the peak demand to
reflect the variation of load patterns. For the three load
groups, the total combiruttion of load levels is 73 ( = 343)
and therefore, 343 input-output sets (or training-sets) are
developed by the training-,;et builder. The fast branch-exchange
method (FBEM) [11,12] is applied to each load combination to
obtain the optimum switclfing option at a minimum loss.
FEEDER 3 For the 343 load combinations, the training-set builder
provides 343 system topologies corresponding to each load
BI2 pattern. These 343 topologies are obtained through simula-
SI(
tions. From the simulations carried out, four sectionalizing
switches are found to be operated dynamically to perform
B13 loss minimization. These 4 switches are indicated by $3, $9,
topologies as shown in Table 2. It is noted that the system
Sll topologies in Ref. [8] and in this paper are not similar. This is
because the loss minimization method [ 11,12] applied in this
paper is different from the method applied in Ref. [8] and
BI4 determines the small amount of loss reduction in the system.
The 7 unique topologies are the 7 optimal configurations for
loss minimization at all the 343 load conditions. Hence, the
system configuration will be reconfigured for loss minimiza-
tion among these 7 unique topologies from time to time
according to the variation of load pattem. It is also seen from
Table 2 that the four sectionalizing switches indicated by $3,
$9, S12 and S13 change their ON/OFF status dynamically to
provide the 7 unique configurations and these are identified
as dynamic or sensitive switches. The rest of the sectionaliz-
ing switches in Table 2 remain unchanged or static in all the 7
unique configurations and also for all the load combinations,
and therefore, they are considered as static switches. It is
observed from the network reconfiguration loss minimiza-
tion simulations that the dynamic switches change their ON/
OFF status to obtain the optimal configuration whereas the
static switches remain constant at their on state for all
the load combinations. Table 3 shows the grouping of the
switches in which there are 9 static switches, 4 dynamic or
sensitive switches and 3 tie switches.
111.2 Developed ANN models
Based on the grouping of the switches, 4 ANNs are devel-
oped for the 4 sensitive switches. These 4 ANNs are the
ANN3, ANN9, ANN12, and ANN13, in which ANN3 is
designed for sensitive switch 3, ANN9 for sensitive switch 9,
ANN12 for sensitive switch 12, and ANN 13 for sensitive
252 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al

Table 4. Number of nodes a n d o p t i m u m values of ANN design parameters

Input nodes Hidden nodes (nh) Output nodes Learning rate (7) Momentum (m)
ANN 9 26 45 1 0.38 0.65
ANN 13 26 45 1 0.38 0.55
ANN 3 26 53 1 0.38 0.60
ANN 12 26 53 1 0.38 0.65

Residential Load

100
o
¢1 80

60
O
OI 40
c 20
O
P
O 0 I I I I I
I1,
R
o o o . . . . . . . .
O o o o o o o o
o o o p.
0
Time (hours)
(a)

;100,t
Commercial Load
"O

80 T P
&
~ so
m 411
20
0 I I I I I
o. . . . o. . o . . . . . . 0 o-
¢) O ¢~ 0 (= (~ O0
0 0 ¢) p.

Time (hours)
(b)
Industrial Load

}"
;1°°, 40 . . . . . .
1 I

,0
0 I I I I I
L
o 8 o 8 o o o o
o o oo ,

Time (hours)

(c)

Figure 5. DLC of a weekday: (a) Residential load curve in percentage of peak load, (b) Commercial load curve in
percentage of peak load and (c) Industrial load curve in percentage of peak load

switch 13. Therefore, 4 neural networks have been devel-
oped for the estimation of the optimal configuration at
different load conditions. Each neural network receives the
information of 13 load buses through the load estimator.
In the ANN training process, the initial weights and
threshold values are set to some random values in the
range of - 0.1 to + 0.1. The design parameters of
the ANN such as the number of hidden neurons, learning
rate and momentum are varied in the training process so as to
determine their optimum values. The optimum values of the
hidden neurons, learning rate and momentum are determined
based on the most accurate results of the ANN outputs. In the
developed ANN models, the optimum values of the number
of hidden neurons r/h, learning rate ~/and momentum m are
shown in Table 4.
111.3 A N N t e s t r e s u l t s
It is noted in the training of the neural networks that an output
of less than " 0 . 2 " is considered " 0 " , and an output equal to
or greater than "0.8" is considered " 1 " [13]. All the ANN
models are trained until the RMS error is equal to 0.02. After
training, the minimum and maximum errors are found to be
0.000 and 0.125, respectively. It is seen from the training
results that the minimum and maximum output of ANNs for
representing " 0 " are 0.000 and 0.125, and for representing
" 1 " are 0.931 and 1.125, respectively.
 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al 253

ANN response for dynamic switch 13

l"llllllUlUlU 111lIIWIIIJULJl
u) 1Ill-l-I-IllII[l'I M[ IIMI-II1l • Target
eANN resp.

°'IIIllUIIllUUl liB IUlUII

O1
c
J=

U)

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47

Test cases
(a)

ltllllljlllllllltltllllllill
ANN response for dynamic switch 9

i llltllLllllllltllllTlITlIT •Target
eANN resp.

°illllllll Illlllll IIl lll,llllllll II

O1
._=
r-

"i
U)

IIIIIIII IIllllll Ill,Ill IIIIllll IIII

-0.5
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47

Testceses
(b)

Figure 6. (a) Comparing the AN N 13 outputs with the target outputs. (b) Comparing the ANN9 outputs with the
target outputs.

The ANN models have been developed to determine the
system's dynamic switches switching status as either ON or
OFF at minimum loss configuration. To evaluate the per-
formance of the ANN model, it is tested with 48 different
cases. The first 24 cases are the arbitrary input patterns for
the ANN models, which have been generated according to
the daily load curves (DLC) [14] shown in Figure 5a-c. The
remaining 24 test cases are selected arbitrarily from the 343
training-sets.
Figure 5 a - c shows that different loads are changing
during a 24 h period according to their typical daily load
curves such as residential load, commercial load and indus-
trial load. The DLC are the time series of the chronological
observations of power demand and are very specific for
different kinds of load (residential, commercial and indus-
trial). The procedure to generate test data from the DLC is as
follows.
(1) Select arbitrarily a time period of the day.
(2) Determine the corresponding percentage of peak load
for residential, commercial and industrial loads from the
DLC.
(3) Using the calculated percentage peak load of the three
load types, compute the actual load demands from the
peak load data of the test system and use these load data
as the input test pattern.
(4) Determine the optimal switching options for the calcu-
lated load data by carrying out off-line simulation using
the test-set builder. The switching options obtained from
simulations are used to compare with the ANN outputs.
Figure 6 a - d shows the comparison between the estimated
switching states obtained from the ANN outputs and the
optimal switching states obtained from simulations of net-
work reconfiguration for loss minimization.
All the developed ANN models are tested with the 48 test
cases, and the minimum and maximum absolute errors for all
ANN13, ANN9, ANN3 and ANN12 are found to be 0.000
and 0.125, respectively. The maximum error is 12.5%. The root-
mean-square error is also calculated for all the ANN models and
it is found to be 0.0271, 0.03, 0.006 and 0.008 for ANN13,
ANN9, ANN3 and ANN12, respectively. Since the ANN is
used as a classifier and the range of the classifier (0 or 1) is well
defined, minor deviation is not treated as an alarming case.
254 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al

ANN response for dynamic switch 3

1.5

Bil ill I !

.q

c
0.5
Bil ill • Target
• ANN resp.

lilt
e.

U) IIII
-0.5

1
IIIIIIIIII ..... I .... I IIIlll
, ~ ' , , , , , , , , '

3 5 7 9 11 1 3 1 5 1 7 1 9 2 1
: : : : : : : :

2325272931
! ~ . . . . .

3335373941434547
:

Test cases
(c)
A N N r e s p o n s e f o r d y n a m i c s w i t c h 12
1.5

IIIlU
o
In

(o
O)
0.5
IIIIII ITarget
OANN resp.

IIIIII
r.

U)

.0.5 Ifll 3
liil
. . . .

5 7
, ]'"',,, '"' I I I ]111111111111
, IJll~
. . . .

9 t l 13 15 1 7 1 9 2 1 2 3 2 5 2 7 2 9 3 1
i : : : : , , , , ,, ,,

33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Test cases

Figure 6. (c) Comparing the ANN3 outputs with the target outputs. (d) Comparing the ANN 12 outputs with the
target outputs

........ "'",... ='",__. III '; III il IITITI

o=~'~....
O 5 : : : :
' " ':
: : : :
........
: :
:: : : : :
111 I I
•
TIJ.ITITII
=~g 4 =:',','- .l .l.l. l .... I 111 I1 IITIIIIII
~' 3 ::::
'" W_EI •
,.,,
T .: .: .: .: : : ',i
i
TTIIIIIT .. ii IIIIIIIIT
o
•-= 2 "~""::IIII :I'--::::', '
liT TLLI IIIIl
° 1 .: : : : . .: : : : . :.: : : . :::: , . . .T
. . . . . ITTI ITITI
,,,, ....

Test cases

Figure 7. Minimum loss configuration predicted by ANN models and optimal configuration obtained from
simulations

Figure 6a shows a graphical presentation in comparing the for any arbitrary input data set. The test outputs and target
ANN13 outputs with the desired or target outputs obtained outputs for ANN9 are shown graphically in Figure 6b. It is
from simulations (i.e. 1 for the ON state and 0 for the OFF seen from Figure 6b that the model is accurate and can also
state of the switch). From the test results of ANN13, it is provide a fast prediction of the switching operation (ON/OFF)
proven that the ANN13 model can provide accurate output for sensitive switch 9. The test output of ANN3 is compared
 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al 255

!
j

~r • , , , i , , , * * 0 , o , 0 , , , , i , , 0 , , • ° , J i i i w

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 38 37 39 41 43 45 47
Test cases

X Loss for optimal eolution - - e - - Loss for base conflg. ~ |oss for ANN response I
I

Figure 8. Losses before and after reconfiguration obtained from the response of ANN models and from the
optimal solution

graphically in Figure 6c with the target values obtained from
simulations. The ANN response for test cases has indicated
that the model can respond to the accurate switching opera-
tion of switch 3. A comparison for the ANN12 outputs and
the target outputs found by simulations is also shown in
graphical form in Figure 6d.
As stated earlier, 7 optimal configurations are found for
various load conditions by carrying out the network reconfi-
guration loss minimization simulations. It is seen from the
test results that the developed ANN models provide switch-
ing operations of dynamic switches that give a minimum loss
configuration. Figure 7 Shows the loss-minimum configura-
tions predicted by the A N N models and the seven unique
configurations obtained from simulation results. The unique
configurations are shown in Figure 7 in terms of the config-
uration number as described in Table 2, where each unique
configuration consists of the switching operations of the
sectionalizing and tie switches indicated by " 1 " or " 0 "
( " 1" for the ON state and " 0 " for the OFF state). It can be
seen from the figure that the configuration obtained from
ANN outputs is similar to the optimal configuration (or
unique configuration) obtained from simulations. The test
has proven that the developed ANN models can predict the
minimum loss configuration by providing the accurate
switching states of sectionalizing switches.
Losses are calculated based on the switching outputs of
ANN models for each of the 48 test cases. Losses are also
calculated for the optimal solution obtained from the simula-
tions. These losses are shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 shows the
losses for the initial or base configuration (i.e. before
reconfiguration), the losses after reconfiguration from the
ANN response, and the losses after reconfiguration obtained
from simulations. The response of the ANN models is found
to be identical to the optimal solution, indicating that loss
minimization by the ANN method and loss minimization in
optimal solution are similar. Hence, the accuracy of the
neural networks designed is verified.
The test system used to test the proposed ANN method is a
typical 16-bus system, which is small when compared with
the practical systems. Therefore, the loss reduction values
shown in Figure 8 are also small. In the case of larger
systems, the developed ANN method could contribute sig-
nificantly to loss reduction and financial savings.
IV. Comparative study of the proposed ANN
method and Kim's method [8]
A comparative study of the proposed ANN method and
Kim's method [8] for network reconfiguration is made as
follows.
(1) Kim et al. [8] have applied a neural network for each
load zone (or load bus) to determine load level of the
load zone, and therefore, 13 ANNs have been developed
for the estimation of load levels of the test system. The
number of ANNs for the load estimation is increased by
the number of load zones or load buses. Hence the
number of ANNs of Kim's method depends upon
the system size. However, the proposed method uses a
computational layer before the input layer of the ANN
(load estimation software) to estimate approximate
loads of the load buses by using 7 load levels. The real
and reactive loads are used as inputs to the ANN models.
Unlike the ANN design of Kim' s method, this computa-
tional layer does not depend on the system size. There-
fore, for a practical system, which consists of many
buses, a large number of ANNs is required if Kim's
method is applied.
(2) Comparing the number of neural networks required to
determine the dynamic switches' switching states of
optimal configuration, Kim's method has designed
seven ANNs in order to select the seven system top-
ologies independently. On the other hand, the proposed
method has determined the dynamic switches through
256 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al
Table 5. C o m p a r i s o n of the proposed A N N m e t h o d with K i m ' s m e t h o d in t e r m s of the n u m b e r of A N N models
Load estimation
Kim's ANN method 13 ANNs for 13 load zones (or load
buses) for load level estimation
Proposed ANN method Computational layer before the input
layer of ANN for load estimation
Kim's method [8]
Loaddata( P, Q )
ANN for loadlevelestimation ]
(13 ANNsusedfor 13 loadzonesI
or loadbusesoft.hetest system)]
kNNfor system topologyselectio~
(7 ANNsused for 7 uniquetopoloI
-gy obtainedfromsimulations) ]
Switchingstrategydecisi-
on fromsystemtopology
Figure 9. Block diagram to compare the proposed ANN method with Kim's method [8]
simulations and found four switches to be dynamically
operated for loss minimization according to the load
variation. Hence, four ANN models are developed to
determine the switching status of the four dynamic or
sensitive switches by applying one ANN for each
sensitive switch. Hence, the proposed method has
reduced the number of ANNs.
(3) The ANN training process requires less time compared
with Kim's method because fewer ANNs are developed
in the proposed method to achieve the same objective as
shown in Table 5.
(4) In the proposed method, the number of ANNs depends
on the number of dynamic switches in the system. In the
case of Kim's method, the number of ANNs depends on
the number of load buses (or load zones) and the optimal
topologies. As such Kim's method require a consider-
ably higher number of ANNs.
(5) Another advantage of the proposed method is that the
system operator can easily implement the solution of the
proposed method by knowing only the dynamic switch-
ing status of dynamic switches from the output of the
ANNs rather than the system topology or system con-
figuration. However, Kim's method predicts system
topology. Then the switching states of the switches are
identified from the knowledge of the topology predicted
by the ANNs to obtain minimum loss solution.
Therefore, the proposed ANN method for fast network
reconfiguration is more practical because knowledge of
the system topology or system configuration is not
required.
Minimum loss solution determined
by ANN
7 ANNs for 7 unique system topologies
4 ANNs for 4 dynamic switches
Proposed ANN method
Loaddata(P,Q) ]
1,l
Computationallayerfor
approximateloadestimation
J,;
ANN toraynan~cswttet~es
switchingstrategyselection
( 4 ANN models used for 4
dynamicswitchesobtained
fromsimulationresults)
l;
Minimumloss solution
Figure 9 shows a comparative block diagram of obtaining
the loss minimization solution by both methods.
V. Concluding discussion
Network reconfiguration strategies for loss minimization
have been developed by using ANN. Neural networks are
designed to determine the appropriate switching status of the
dynamic switches that reduce the power loss, in accordance
with the variation of the load pattern. The ANN method has
been developed based on the load profile of the system and
the dynamic switches of the feeders. A simple, but effective
computational layer before the input layer of the ANN, has
been developed to provide this load profile as the input to
the neural networks. The ANNs of the proposed method map
the P-Q loads of the system and the system dynamic
switches. Minimum loss configuration is achieved from the
switching outputs of the designed ANN models.
To minimize the size of the training-set, ANNs are
individually designed for each dynamic switch. The size of
the training-set is reduced by using seven load levels and
three basic types of load group. As a result, the total number
of load level combinations is not dependent upon system size
or load buses. The proposed ANN method can give fast
control strategies because it avoids the repetitive calculation
for the line status estimation to estimate the line loss during
the searching process as in the conventional non-ANN
methods. The accuracy of the ANN model has been tested.
From the test results, accurate solutions are obtained for both
the untrained and trained test cases. Therefore, ANN models
 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al
OUTPUT PATTERNS
5 '
k ~ .....................
j ~
INPUT PATTERNS
Figure 10. Schematic of the multiperceptron neural network
can be used to classify the dynamic switches' switching
states for the optimal configuration. The accuracy of the
A N N results indicates that the A N N model can be a useful
tool for solving on-line real-time network reconfiguration
problems so that the loss reduction of the distribution system
is achieved.
The proposed A N N method is shown to perform better
than K i m ' s method [8] in terms of A N N design and the
number of ANNs. The proposed method has been developed
with fewer A N N s and can provide optimal solutions with
less computational time when compared with K i m ' s method.
VI. Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Tenaga Nasional Berhad for
giving a research grant to implement this project.
VII. References
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using adaptive pattern recognition and self organizing techniques.
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2. Dillon, T.S., Artificial neural network applications to power systems
and their relationship to symbolic methods.Journal of Electrical Power
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Aggoune, M. and Colin, D.A., Artificial neural networks for power
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actions on Power Delivery, 1993, 8(3), pp. 1356-1366.
9. Bouchard, D., Chikhani, A., John, V. I. and Salama, M. M. A.,
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guration. Proceedings of the Second International Forum on Applica-
tions of Neural Networks to Power Systems (ANNPS '93), Yokohama,
Japan, IEEE New York, NY, U.S.A. 1993, pp. 311-316.
10. Davalo, E., Neural Networks. Macmillan, London, 1991.
11. Kashem, M.A., Jasmon, G. B., Moghavvemi, M. and Mohamed, A.,
257
OUTPUT LAYER
HIDDEN LAYER
wij
Loss reduction in distribution networksusing new network reconfigura-
tion algorithm. Proceedings of the 1lth International Power System
Conference (PSC-96), Tehran, Iran, 1996.
12. Kashem, M.A., Jasmon, G. B., Moghavvemi, M. and Mohamed, A.,
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13. Zhou,Q., Davidson,J. and Fouad, A. A., Applicationof artificialneural
networks in power system security and vulnerability assessment. IEEE
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IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 1989, 5(1), pp. 254-258.
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Appendix A Input-output Relationship of ANN
(Back Propagation Algorithm)
The nodes in the input layer receive an input signal from
external sources. As shown in Figure 10, the output
from neuron i of the input layer is si, which is connected to
the neuron j in the hidden layer through the interconnection
weight wij. Therefore, si can be defined as
si = net/ (A. 1)
where, neti is the input to a neuron i in the input layer i.
The sum of the input to a node j in hidden layer is
netj = ~ . siwij (A.2)
The output of a neuron j in the hidden layer is
sj = f ( n e t j ) (A.3)
where, f is the activation function of unit j. Applying the
sigmoidal function, the output of n e u r o n j will be in the form
of
1
sj = f ( n e t j ) = (1 + exp{ - (netj + 0j)}) (A.4)
where, Oj is the bias of unit j.
The sum of the input to a node in the output layer k is
xk = ~ . sjwjk (A.5)
So, the output of the output layer is
1
sk = f ( x , ) = (1 + exp{ - (xk + Oh)}) (A.6)
The " G e n e r a l i z e d delta r u l e " suggested by Rumelhart et al.
258 Reconfiguring loss minimization in distribution networks: M. A. Kashem et al

Table 6. Peak demand load data of the 16-bus test system

Line Impedance Receiving bus load (peak demand)
Sending bus Receiving bus R (p.u.) X (p.u.) (MW) (MVAR) Load type*
1 2 0.15812 0.30395 2.10 0.92 R
2 3 0.09487 0.18237 1.75 0.87 R
3 4 0.27323 0.52522 1.25 0.65 R
2 5 0.31624 0.60790 1.10 0.52 C
6 7 0.13282 0.25532 1.28 0.76 C
7 8 0.12650 0.24316 1.65 0.78 C
8 9 0.12396 0.23830 1.30 0.78 C
7 10 0.09993 0.19210 0.94 0.56 I
8 11 0.26564 0.51064 1.45 0.59 R
12 13 0.18974 0.36474 1.42 0.68 C
13 14 0.12396 0.23830 1.98 0.79 I
14 15 0.11258 0.21641 1.45 0.67 I
13 16 0.18974 0.36474 1.08 0.45 I
4 15 0.14926 0.28693 -- -- --
5 11 0.19986 0.38419 -- -- --
10 16 0.15812 0.30395 -- -- --
* R: residential; C: commercial;I: industrial
System data on a systembase of 100 MVA and substation voltage 12.65 kV

[15] is used to train a layered perceptron-type A N N and Similarly the error signal at the hidden layer j is given by
adjust the weights on the internal units based on the error at
the output. For P patterns consisting of pairs of input and 6j = sj(l - sj) Z Wjk6k (A. 10)
output patterns, the error function ET is represented as the The adaptation of weights to conform to the desired output
squared sum of the differences between the actual and target follows the generalized delta rule. The connection weights
outputs for all patterns between input unit i and hidden unitj are updated as follows:
1 e Awij(n) = ~ j s i "Jr"m A w i j ( n - - 1) (A.11)
ET = ~ P=Z1 Y . (tpk- Spk)2 (A.7)
k wij(n + 1) = wij(n ) + Awij(n ) (A.12)

The error at any output in layer k is and the connection weights between hidden unitj and output
unit k are updated using the equations
ek = t~ - sk (A.8)
Awjk(n ) = l~6kSj -}- mAwjk(n -- 1) (A.13)
where tk is the desired or target output.
For minimizing the total error ET, using the technique of
wj~(n + 1) = Wjk(n) + Awjk(n) (A.14)
gradient descent, the error signal 6k is defined as where n denotes the number of steps in the learning process,
is the learning rate and m is the momentum term. The
6k = eff'(Xk) = ek ~ = (tk -- sk)sk(1 -- sk) (A.9) learning rate, 7/, is a constant of proportionality of weights
and the momentum m is a constant used to determine the
effect of past weight changes on the current direction of
where movement in weight space.
df(xk) = st(1 -- st)
f'(xk) = dxk
Appendix B Peak Demand Load Data of the 16-
The error ek is multiplied by a termf(Xk) to ensure that the bus Test System
weights remain in a bounded range. The data are presented in Table 6.