Review on reliability improvement and power loss reduction in distribution system via network reconfiguration

Usually, consumers experience power failures due to problems in the distribution systems. Distribution systems have evolved to an extent where smart technologies are needed for their smooth operation. Network reconfiguration is one of the functions of distribution automation that improves the performance of the system by altering the structure of the distribution network. In literature, different network reconfiguration problems have been resolved with various methods. However, the active power loss minimisation problem is considered most of all, because if these losses are less than the standard, the distribution companies can benefit monetarily. In addition, during the last few decades, distribution system reliability has been developed to provide interruption free electricity services. With improved system reliability, power distribution companies can save the expenses that are spent on a distribution system's maintenance and operation after a power failure. This paper thus gives a general background, literature review and comparative analysis of methods used for network reconfiguration for reliability enhancement and loss minimisation in the distribution network, so that new researchers can easily read the literature, especially in this area. Moreover, this is the first effort to collect the previous and the most recent research works on the field of reliability of distribution system through network reconfiguration. Therefore, this work will serve as a one stop source for the guidance of the new researchers in this field. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.