DISTRIBUTION-SYSTEM SERVICE RESTORATION USING A HEURISTIC-SEARCH APPROACH

A heuristic search approach is developed for service restoration of a distribution system. The purpose is to devise a proper restoration plan after the location of a fault has been identified and the faulted zone has been isolated. Since service restoration is an urgent matter in distribution system operation, the restoration plan must be reached in very short time. In addition, the out-of-service area must be minimized to enhance system reliability. To reach a restoration plan which satisfies all practical requirements, a set of heuristic rules are compiled through interviews with experienced operators at Taiwan Power Company. A heuristic search algorithm is developed for service restoration following a fault on distribution feeders. The effectiveness of the proposed heuristic search approach is demonstrated by the restoration of the electricity service following a fault in a underground distribution system within the service area of Taipei City District Office of Taiwan Power Company. It is found that the restoration plan can be reached very efficiently. Therefore, it can serve as a valuable tool to help distribution system dispatchers reach a proper restoration plan.