DG integrated multistage distribution system expansion planning

In this paper, a framework is presented to solve the problem of multistage distribution system expansion planning in which installation and/or reinforcement of substations, feeders and distributed generation units are taken into consideration as possible solutions for system capacity expansion. The proposed formulation considers investment, operation, and outage costs of the system. The expansion methodology is based on pseudo-dynamic procedure. A combined genetic algorithm (GA) and optimal power flow (OPF) is developed as an optimization tool to solve the problem. The performance of the proposed approach is assessed and illustrated by numerical studies on a typical distribution system. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.