REDUCTION OF ACTIVE LOSSES WITH RECONFIGURATION OF
ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS
Miran H O R V A T , Joie VORSIC,
Andrej O R G U L A N
University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Abstract: Electricity distribution networks in densely
populated urban areas are, in order to increase the reliability
of supply, usually designed as meshed networks, though they
always operate in radial configuration. Reconfiguration of
distribution networks is achieved through switching
operations on switching devices of distribution network
branches (switching odoff of a branch). It is often the case
that the existing configuration is not the configuration with
minimum power losses. With the new computer program,
developed by our research team, it is possible to find the
network configuration that enables operation with minimum
losses. The program proposes the best network configuration
to the dispatcher, and the latter makes his own decision
whether to change the network configuration or not.
Mathematical algorithm for the network reconfiguration is
presented in the paper, as well as results of the reconfiguration
of the electricity distribution network of the city of Maribor.
Keywords: Distribution network, network reconfiguration,
load flow, losses.
I. I N T R O D U C T I O N
In the past the problem of costs caused by network
losses was constantly neglecting. Gaining of
independence of the Republic of Slovenia in 1991 and
introduction of market economy are the reason that this
issue is becoming more and more important.
Electric power system components, i.e. generators,
transformers, overhead lines, cables, substations and
0-7803-5515-6/99/$10.00 0 1999 IEEE
Gorazd KERB INEK
Slovenian Power Authority
Vetrinjska 2, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
consumer devices, are electrically and magnetically
connected in order to supply consumers in a certain
geographic region with quality electric power.
The electric power system is subject to incessant
changing, since every turning on or off in the system
alters consumption and generation in the system, in
many cases also the system configuration. All these
changes have also impact on network losses.
The objective of every electricity distributor is to
operate the network with minimum losses and maximum
reliability of operation. To comply with these objective
it is necessary to apply one or more of the various
network optimization methods. Searching for the
network configuration with minimum power losses
generally belongs to mixed-integer linear programming.
Several papers have so far been written about this
topic. Since the beginning of researching in this field,
where Merlin and Back [ 11 are undoubtedly pioneers,
several algorithms have been developed [2,3,4]. It is
well known that distribution networks operate in radial
configuration. Radial configuration is more suitable for
distribution networks than meshed configuration, since
it brings lower fault currents, easier switching of
branches or consumers, and simpler protection of
network components, although it does not ensure such
reliability of supply as meshed configuration. Achieving
higher reliability of supply is the reason why electricity
distribution networks in densely populated urban areas
are designed as meshed networks, though they always
operate in radial configuration.
The computer program finds the network
configuration with minimum energy losses under all
given constraints. This configuration can be achieved by
changing of openlclosed state of switching devices on
tie lines. This procedure is called network
reconfiguration.
Mathematical model, used in our computer program
for network reconfiguration, is presented in the paper, as
well as results of the reconfiguration of the electricity
distribution network of the city of Maribor.
154
 II. MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF NETWORK
RECONFIGURATION
U"
b----
I
rlh xo
U,I
ri I 9 xi I
U,
I
U,+/ Ut,

Pm Qo
The essence of the problem of searching the optimum
network configuration with minimum energy losses is to P L I~, Q L ~I PL.~, QL, P L ~ + QL,+I
I. PL,,, QL,)
find the minimum of energy losses for all active
branches of the network (Fig. ij.
Fig. 2: Radial electric network

The number of open line switches defines the number

t t '1 t t t t of loops in the network. With switching these switches
\
\
on and off it is possible to establish radial network
ss2 configuration under condition that all network nodes
'I h----
9 I 10 I I 1 '-I 12 I' 13 I 14 I
(distribution transformed) are supplied. The higher is the
possible number of switching operations, the higher is
the number of possible combinations that can bring a
reduction of power losses in the network.
In the first step, for testing of the method applied in
the described program, all possible combinations that
give radial network configuration have been found for a
small test network [4].For all these combinations load
Fig. 1: Small electricity distribution network flows have been calculated. In this way the optimum
network configuration with minimum power losses has
The following operational conditions have to be been found.
always fulfilled: all nodal voltages and all branch With the increasing number of possible switching
currents have to be within the prescribed limits, and operations, i.e. in larger networks, this method requires
network configuration has to remain radial. Minimum of an enormous number of calculations and thus too much
the following function has to be found time. This is why the applicability of this method is very
limited. It can be used only as a reference for testing
other methods, while it is absolutely inadequate for the
use in actual distribution networks.
Switch Exchange Method has been chosen for the use
in our computer program for network reconfiguration.
under constraints: The idea of this method lies in searching of optimum for
each separate loop. Firstly an open branch (tie line) is
closed. In this way a loop is closed in one part of the
network. Then in such loop, one branch after another is
opened, and for each such state load flows and losses are
i = l , 2,..., n (3) calculated. The position of open branch that yields the
minimum power losses is remembered for the next step.
where (Fig. 2): This is repeated for all open branches of the original
n - number of buses in the network configuration. When this is done, the first step is
r; - resistance of branch i completed. The calculated optimums from the first step
ii - current in branch i are then used in the second one, when the whole
Pi - active power flow in branch i procedure is repeated. Searching for optimum
Qi - reactive power flow in branch i configuration is finished when two consecutive steps
U,- voltage of node i indicate the same optimum configuration. This method
is simple and does not require too much computation
time, though it allows only finding of a local minimum,
which is very close to the global optimum, found by the
very time consuming method described above. The
procedure can also be accelerated by elimination of

155
branches that do not contribute to the reduction of losses. Load Flow Calculation for Radial Networks
This is an iterative method that with the application of a
quick algorithm for load flow calculation in radial A simple iterative method for load flow calculation in
networks yields results after a very short computation radial networks is used in our program for network
time. The computer program on the basis of this method reconfiguration, which is for such networks much faster
has been tested using t'ne data on the actual electricity than well known iterative method for meshed networks,
distribution network of the city of Maribor. The such as Newton-Raphson or Gauss-Seidel methods.
optimum network configuration that enables operation Fig. 4 shows a simple radial network.
with minimum losses has been found, taking into
consideration all constraints (voltages and currents
within the required limits, limited number of switching
operations). Lcvcl I
Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of the above described
method.

Reading of network data

.c
N = number of open lines
K = 1 step

1 Load flow calculation for existing configuration I Fig. 4:Branched radial network

All network branches are classified by levels, where

I7 4 closing of open line (forming of loop)
M = number of lines in the loop
the number of level increases with increasing distance
from the point of supply. The ending nodes of every
branch have always the same number as the respective
branch. The point of supply (root node) is labeled
I
I
with 0.
At the beginning let's presume that voltage in all
network nodes equals the voltage of the root node.

(0)- U
up --0 p = l , 2 ,...,n (4)
Load flow calculation
[M = M + 1 < pI,, + optimum configuration
Ploss,,emp where n is the number of nodes and govoltage of the
root node.
Then current injections are calculated for all nodes
N=N+1

Is this new
K =K+1 optimum
where:
k - iteration number,
1 YES 8,- power injection in node p ,
I Printing of optimum
configuration I &, - total shunt admittance at node p .
This is followed by the calculation of branch currents,
Fig. 3: Flow diagram of searching the optimum network starting from the branches in the last level (having the
configuration highest branch number) and moving towards the
branches connected to the root node.

156
 where:
m - number of branches,
q - ending node of the branch j ,
D - set of branches that start from the node q.
When all branch currents are calculated it is possible
to determine the nodal voltages. They are calculated
starting with the first level moving towards the last one.
where 5 is the impedance of the branch j , p and q are
starting and ending node of the branchj.
The power mismatch at all network nodes equals:
- =-s , , ---Pu ( ~--P) . I ( ~ ) p
AS * = 1 , 2 ,...,n
The procedure of calculating of current injections in
nodes, branch currents and node voltages is repeated
until the power mismatch in all nodes is less than the
specified tolerance the branch E. Load flows and
network losses are calculated after the iterative
procedure has been finished.
III. PROGRAM PACKAGE FOR NETWORK
ANALYSIS
The flow diagram of the program package for
distribution network analysis is shown in Fig. 5. It
enables load flow and fault analysis, as well as network
reconfiguration. The results are presented in textual and
graphical form. Graphic presentation of the results can
be done schematically or geographically supported with
the use of Geographic Information Services (GIS).
The program package is written in Fortran. It works
on personal computers in MS Windows 95/98 or MS
Windows NT 3.5 1/4.0 operating systems. The only
limitations of the program are computer RAM and
available space on hard disk.
157
- transformers
Load flow calculation Fault analysis
- Gauss-Seidel method - single pole
- Newton Raphson method - two pole
- Voltage drops (radial networks) -three pole
Finding of optimum
Reestablishment of
configuration
Network reconfiguration
network after faults
I
I Printing and plotting
of results
Fig. 5 : Flow diagram of network analysis
Calculations of network reconfiguration require
network parameters, such as data on lines, transformers
and consumers. For easier data input the typical data on
lines, such as impedance's, capacities, voltage levels and
maximum current or load flow capacity, are stored in a
separate database. Lines or branches are therefore
described only with cable type and its length, which
makes the work with the program more transparent and
eventual changing easier. Since some branches in the
network cannot be opened, each line also has to be
described with a parameter indicating whether the line
can be opened or not. Individual nodes or transformer
stations are described with the nominal voltage,
consumption of active and reactive power and, if it
exists, data on the power factor correction device. For
plotting of the results geographical coordinates have
also to be given. Instead of power consumption in nodes
it is also possible to input the energy consumed in a
certain period, together with the load curve for this
period. This approach allows defining the typical
consumers, such as households, industry, mixed
consumers, etc. Once the network data are given to the
computer, it is possible to perform load flow and fault
analysis and to determine the optimum operating
network configuration. The results are given in textual
and graphic form. They can also be exported to existing
Geographic Information Services (GIs), where the
results become more transparent.
IV.ANALYSIS OF MARIBOR NETWORK AND Table 1 and Table 2 show the results of the results of
RESULTS network reconfiguration simulation for winter period.
The tables show loss reduction and monthly energy
saving (energy required for switching operations has
Data from 1997 have been used in the analysis of been neglected) with regard to the existing network
Maribor distribution network. The network contains four configuration. For each month 21 working and 10 non-
large 110/10 kV substation and one smaller 35/10 kV working (weekends) days have been considered.
substation. These five substations are supplied from two In the real circumstances it is impossible to
bulk substations via 110 kV overhead lines. The major reconfigure network three or four times a day, since the
part of the 10 kV distribution network (about 200 km) is transformer stations are not remotely controlled.
made of underground cables. The analysis took into Because of this problem another simulation has been
account 37 1 transformer stations (nodes) and 453 lines done. In this simulation only two configurations have
between them (branches). The most common nominal been used, one for winter and one for summer period.
capacity of the transformer stations is 630 kVA, while Average consumption in these seasons has been used.
the others have nominal capacities 400, 250 or Annual saving due to loss reduction would in this case
100 kVA. The majority of the transformer stations is not be about $18,000. The results are given in Table 3.
remotely controlled. They supply about 50,000
consumers that in 1997 consumed some 400GWh of Table 1: Reconfiguration for working day
electricity and reached 65 MW peak power.
This network supplies several types of consumers. I Day. period
- I Loss reduction I Monthlyenergy I
Three types of consumers have been considered in the
(kW) I saving (kWh)
0:OO-6:OO I 28 I 3.528
analysis: households, shops and industry. Energy 6:OO - 17:OO 39 9.009
consumption of these typical consumers has been 17:OO - 22:OO 68 7.140
monitored for years. Thus it has been possible to obtain 22:OO - 24:OO 16 672
their load curves for working days (Monday to Friday)
and weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
Table 2: Reconfiguration for weekend
Daily load curve for households
(working days -winter) saving (kWh)
p(P4
1.oo 8:OO - 14:00 3.120
14:OO - 22~00 2.240
0.75
22:OO - 24:OO 340
0.50 - I

0.25 Table 3: Proposed reconfiguration

0.00 I Period I Loss reduction I Yearly energy saving I
0o:oo 06:oo 12:oo 18:OO 0o:OO (kW) - (kWhj
Time Winter 43 163.860
Summer 24 105.120
Daily load curve for households IC 268.980 I
(weekends -winter)
fJ (PU)

V. CONCLUSIONS

Finding of the optimum network reconfiguration

represents, regardless of the applied method,
mathematically very complex and comprehensive
0000 0600 12 00 18 00 0000
problem. The progress in the computer technology
Time enables the use of personal computers in solving these
problems. Since the consumption in nodes is changing
Fig. 6: Daily load curves for households in winter all the time, it would be necessary to reconfigure the
network all the time just as the current optimum

158
configuration is changing with consumption. This
requires a lot of data on current consumption in all
nodes, simultaneous calculation of reconfiguration
followed by immediate realization of all newly required
switching operations in the network. This would be
possible only if fully automated control system of the
network existed. Building of such a system would be too
expensive. One should also keep in mind that each
switching operation requires some energy and that each
switching shortens the switch's lifetime. This is why it is
reasonable to change configuration for a larger time
period, such as week, month, or season, like summer
and winter.
Results of the simulations for the Maribor electricity
distribution system clearly show that, in spite of non-
automated network, it would be reasonable to manually
reconfigure the network at least twice a year (in summer
and winter). With regard to the current state of the
network and because of increasing prices of electricity
the savings due to loss reduction would be relatively
high.
The second benefit from the actively used program
package for network analysis is reestablishment of the
network after faults. Such a program package can also
be efficiently used for planning purposes.
The final conclusion of this study is that the
investments in hardware and software would be quickly
repaid in the new market conditions of the power system
operation, which are to come in force in Europe in 1999,
when it will be reasonable to optimize the distribution
network configuration in real time. W e shall see what
will bring the new market era.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Science and
Technology of the Republic of Slovenia for the financial
support in the realization of the study on network
reconfiguration. They also greatly acknowledge the
support of "Elektro Maribor", the electricity Distribution
Company of the city of Maribor, in collection of all data
required for this research.
VU. REFERENCES
A. Merlin and H. Back, "Search for a Minimal-Loss
Operating Spaning Tree Configuration in Urban Power
Distribution Systems", Proc. of 5'" Power Systems Comp.
Con., Cambridge, U.K., Sept. 1-5, 1975.
S. Civanlar, J.J. Grainger, H.Yin, S.S.H. Lee,
"Distribution Feeder Reconfiguration for Loss
159
Reduction", IEEE Trans. on PWRD, Vol. PWRD-3, No.
3, July 1988, pp. 1217-1223.
[31 D. Shirmohammadi, H.W. Hong, "Reconfiguration of
Electric Distribution Networks for Resistive Line Losses
Reduction", IEEE Trans. on PWRD, Vol. PWRD-4, No.
2, April 1989, pp. 1492-1498.
[41 S.K. Goswami, S.K. Basu, "A new algorithm for the
reconfiguration of Distribution feeders for loss
minimization", IEEE Trans. on PWRD, Vol. PWRD-7,
NO.3, July 1992, pp. 1484-1491.
VIU. BIOGRAPHY
Miran Horvat was born in Maribor, Slovenia, on March
31, 1965. He received his B.S degree from Faculty of
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in Maribor in
1989. In 1989 he joined the Faculty of Electrical engineering
and Computer Science in Maribor, and presently he is a
teaching assistant in Power Systems at the same University.
His current area of interest is analysis of transmission and
distribution systems.
Joie VorSiE was born in Maribor, Slovenia, on November
24, 1946. He received his B.S. degree from the University of
Ljubljana in 1972, his M.S. degree from the University of
Zagreb in 1982, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of
Maribor in 1983, all in electrical engineering.
In 1972 he was engaged at the University of Ljubljana as a
research assistant. His work was focused on the research of
the quality of electrical energy. In 1974 he joined the
University of Maribor as an assistant. At present, he is
Professor of Power Systems Engineering.
From 1976 he was an active member of the self managerial
governing bodies of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, and
later at the Educational Community of R Slovenia and the
Ministry of Science and Technology.
Andrej Orgulan was born in Maribor, Slovenia on October
28, 1960. He received his B.S. degree in electrical engineering
from the University of Maribor in 1986, his M.S. degree from
the University Maribor in 1997.
In 1989 he joined the University of Maribor as a research
assistant. He works in researching of the Quality of Electrical
Energy.
Gorazd Skerbinek was born in Maribor, Slovenia, on June
28, 1965. He received his B.S degree in electrical engineering
from the University of Maribor in 1989. In 1989 he joined the
University of Maribor, where he worked as researcher in the
field of analysis of transmission and distribution systems.
In 1993 he joined the Slovenian Power Authority as
development engineer for power system expansion planning.