Recloser allocation for improved reliability of DG-enhanced distribution networks

The radial distribution feeder protection strategy is first presented in this paper without consideration for distributed generation (DG). Then, the addition of DG across the feeder (constrained in terms of power and/or energy capacity) is introduced in the model. If islanded operation of these DG sources is allowed on a feeder subjected to a disturbance, DG may reduce the number of interruptions and/or durations for customers residing within their protection zones, thus increasing the reliability of service. To that end, a procedure for finding optimal positions for DG and protection devices is presented for a feeder equipped with capacity-constrained distributed generators, using a custom-tailored genetic algorithm, and the improvement in reliability is demonstrated on a test feeder. Tuning of the genetic algorithm parameters and an adaptive algorithm that eliminates the need for parameter tuning are the subject of a separate paper by the same authors.