Methodology for allocation of remotely controlled switches in distribution networks based on a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making algorithm

Continuity in power supply for the consumers is a permanent concern from the utilities, pursued with the development of technological solutions in order to improve the performance of network restoration conditions. Using remotely controlled switches corresponds to one possible approach to reach such an improvement and giving some convenient remote resources such as the fault detect, isolation and transfer loads. This paper presents a methodology implemented in a computer programming language for allocation these devices in electric distribution systems based on multi-criteria fuzzy analysis. The main contributions are focus on considering the impact of installing remote-controlled switches in the reliability indexes and algorithm of fuzzy multi-criteria decision making for the switches allocation. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated with case studies involving actual systems of the AES Sul utility located in the south of Brazil. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.