Optimal allocation of remote control switches in radial distribution network for reliability improvement

This paper presents differential search algorithm in order to solve reliability optimization problem of radial distribution network. Remote control switches have been optimally allocated to improve reliability at a compromised cost. A multi-objective problem has been formulated and solved using differential search algorithm. The test systems considered in this paper are an 8 bus radial distribution network and a 33 bus radial distribution network. Simulation results obtained using differential search algorithm when applied to the test cases, have been compared with those obtained by particle swarm optimization. Differential search algorithm has been found to provide superior results as compared to particle swarm optimization. (C) 2016 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Ain Shams University.