Optimal allocation of protection and control devices in smart distribution systems: Models, methods, and future research

The fundamental goal of the distribution system operator (DSO) is to serve its customers with reliable and low-cost electricity. Failures in power distribution systems are responsible for 80% of customer service interruptions. The emergence of smart distribution system (SDS) with advanced distribution automation (DA) and communication infrastructure offers a great opportunity to improve reliability, through the automation of fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR) process. DA includes the installation of protection and control devices (PCD). The use of PCD makes fault management more efficient, reduces average outage duration per customer in case of faults, reduces costs due to unsupplied energy, and improves distribution system reliability. Although the use of PCD remarkably enhances distribution system reliability, it is neither economical nor affordable to install them in all potential locations. To obtain the optimal allocation of PCD (OAPCD), an optimisation problem has to be formulated and solved. Several models and methods have been suggested for the OAPCD in SDSs. Herein, an overview of the state-of-the-art models and methods applied to the OAPCD in SDSs are introduced, identifying the contributions of reviewed works, identifying advantages and disadvantages, classifying and analysing current and future research directions in this area.

Automated summary

The fundamental goal of a distribution system operator is to provide customers with reliable and low-cost electricity, and the emergence of smart distribution systems offers a great opportunity to improve reliability. The installation of protection and control devices can make fault management more efficient and reduce costs.