الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
This thesis presents a new formulation for sectionalizing device placement taking itiio consideration outage, maintenance and investments costs. The formulation of sectionalizing switches is a combinatorial constrained optimization problem with a non-linear, non-different i able objective function. A solution methodology based on ihe optimization technique of Simulated Annealing (SA) is proposed to determine (i) the number of sectionalizing switches and (ii) the location of the switches. The proposed solution methodology can offer an optimal solution for the sectionalizing device placement problem, which includes the reliability, investment and maintenance cosls.
Sectionalizing switches are used in primary distribution systems for various applications such as, to improve reliability, lo isolate a fault, for configuration management, and’to reconfigure the network. Sectionalizing switches and reclosers play a key role in the reliability of distribution networks and hence the selection of an adequate number of sectionalizing switches is an important factor in system planning. Switch selection is extremely important in automated distribution networks, where the sectionalizing switches are remotely activated. Feeder switch automation can increase the system reliability. The costs associated with installation of the switches are, however, quite significant. There is a growing concern in power utilities regarding a quantitative justification of the increase in reliability due to the placement of switches rather than one simply based on reduced interruption times. Switch cost minimization can be obtained through improved operational practices and using efficient planning techniques which can determine the minimum number of switches and their optimum locations.
The selection of an adequate number of switches and their locations is a difficult task in distribution system planning. Utilities use there past experience, customer data and other considerations in selecting a suitable number of switches.
The selection of the number and location of the switches depends on many factors, such as reliability considerations, type of the customers connected, load variations, maintenance and installation costs. A cost benefit analysis should be performed which includes all of the above factors. This thesis presents a cost minimization technique, which includes investment, maintenance, and reliability costs.