Multistage expansion planning for distribution networks including unit commitment

In this study, a multistage expansion and unit commitment (UC) planning for distribution networks using artificial bee colony (ABC) is presented. A dynamic model for expansion considers installation of new distributed generation units, expansion of pre-installed generating units' capacities, rewiring and addition of new load points. The expansion plane is carried out in three stages. In each stage, an hourly-day-ahead UC schedule is determined over the course of the stage period. The proposed algorithm uses the ABC to obtain a feasible commitment schedule for the generating units installed. An economical dispatch of these units along with load shedding is then carried out in each stage period to satisfy the system's equality and inequality constraints. The proposed algorithm is applied to different test systems to verify its efficiency.