Optimal planning of fault interrupter and load break switches in power distribution systems: A linear power flow-constrained multi-objective optimization

Power distribution systems are equipped with switching devices, including fault interrupter switches (FISs) and load break switches (LBSs), to facilitate fault management and enhance operational efficiency. Recent research has ignored power flow constraints and focused only on reliability improvement to determine the optimal resting state, number, and location of FISs (e.g., circuit breakers and fuses) and LBSs. This paper contributes to the advancement of reliable power distribution systems by proposing a multi-objective optimization model for the optimal deployment of switching devices, considering power flow constraints. The proposed model aims to minimize the costs associated with installing new switching devices, the cost of interruptions, and the voltage drop at load points under normal and post-fault conditions. The optimization problem is described in a linear format to reduce the problem’s complexity. The proposed model is examined on a standard test system and a real power distribution system. The simulation results demonstrate that applying the proposed model may lead to a 21 % improvement in voltage profile without a significant increase in the cost of interruptions compared to existing reliability-oriented models.