Sharif Digital Repository

An Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is proposed for optimal tree-structured natural gas distribution network. Design of pipelines, facilities, and equipment systems are necessary tasks to configure an optimal natural gas network. A mixed integer programming model is formulated to minimize the total cost in the network. The aim is to optimize pipe diameter sizes so that the location-allocation cost is minimized. Pipeline systems in natural gas network must be designed based on gas flow rate, length of pipe, gas maximum pressure drop allowance, and gas maximum velocity allowance. We use the information regarding gas flow rates and pipe diameter sizes considering the gas pressure and... 

Numerous operational issues including voltage deviation and instability arise in distribution networks with insufficient reactive support. Static issues have been widely studied for years, and some dynamic ones are recently gaining attention due to the proliferation of distributed generation (DG). In this paper, a two-step reactive compensation planning procedure is proposed to address these challenges. In the first step, passive compensators are optimally sited and sized using a metaheuristic algorithm in order to improve steady-state indices including power efficiency, voltage profile, and static voltage stability. In the second step, a static synchronous compensator (Statcom) is located... 

This paper presents a new approach for optimal operation of distribution networks with regard to Distributed Generators (DGs). The objective function in this problem includes cost of active and reactive electrical energy generated by DGs, electrical energy markets and capacitors. Also, this paper presents both application and comparison of the metaheuristic techniques such as the Genetic Algorithm (GA), differential evolution, Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), tabu search, to optimal operation of distribution networks. These methods are tested on two examples distribution network containing an IEEE 34 distribution test feeders and a practical distribution... 

Distribution networks are designed in loop structure, while they are operated as radial networks. In this regard, the location of normally open (NO) switches is usually determined by either minimizing real power losses or maximizing the reliability level. However, considering both losses and reliability in the decision making procedure may lead to a better solution. To do so, this paper proposes a mathematical model to find the optimal configuration of NO switches such that losses and reliability are optimized. The multi-objective model is scrutinized via weighted sum approach to achieve a single-objective model. The model is formulated in mixed integer quadratically constrained programming... 

This paper provides a framework to study the integration of network marketing in a dual-channel distribution system. We develop an approach to optimize the main decision variables of this system simultaneously. These decision variables include the price paid by the customers of both channels, confidence level, the effort level of active distributors of network marketing, and wholesale price. Although both channels compete with each other, it is vital to have a balanced pricing system to keep them motivated. However, the prices in network marketing and traditional retailer system are not necessarily equal due to the differences in their nature. Furthermore, it is also required to develop an... 

Here, a case study of natural gas network is conducted. We design an optimal distribution network of natural gas. Our proposed network is composed of stations reducing gas pressure to desirable pressure using consumer's viewpoint. By using minimum spanning tree (MST) technique, an optimal distribution network among stations and consumers is constructed. Our aim is to determine both locations and types of stations minimizing location-allocation costs in the network. A case study in Mazandaran Gas Company in Iran is made to assess the validity and effectiveness of the proposed model  

The penetration of wind generation in distribution networks is steadily increasing and may provide ample business opportunities for aggregators. While, residential demand response (DR) has proven to be a feasible economic tool in smart grids, the quantitative evaluation of various aggregator-based DR services is required to tap the maximum benefits from the DR flexibility. This paper provides an overview of benefits of different DR aggregator services such as minimization of energy cost and wind curtailment given the scenario of large wind generation hosted by distribution network. An optimization model is formulated from aggregator perspective to manage the population of heating,... 

Installation of a significant number of distributed generators (DGs), besides the application of non-sinusoidal loads such as; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), in the emerging smart distribution networks and the industrial plants have posed a major challenge to the existing methods of optimal transformer sizing (OTS). The harmonic currents generated in these new environments not only substantially increase the transformer load losses, but also cause abnormal winding temperature rise and hence transformer excessive loss of life. Therefore, the harmonic contents of the loads currents should be accounted in choosing the appropriate size of distribution transformers. To address this... 

Distribution network reconfiguration as a technique for reducing network losses and enhancing voltage profile has attracted attention of many researchers. In spite of impacts network reconfiguration can have on power quality indices, the potentials have not been studied enough. To fill the gap, this paper presents a method to determine optimum network configuration considering voltage profile, network losses, and total harmonic distortion (THD). The proposed method also vouches for radial structure of the network, supplying all loads, and maintaining voltages and currents within allowable bounds. Since network reconfiguration problem is a combinatorial optimization problem, a meta-heuristic... 

In the past decade, distribution network operators have been broadly engrossed toward automated distribution networks. The operators acknowledge network automation as an efficient investment toward a better service reliability. This paper aims to provide a new long-term cost/benefit analysis for an optimal level of distribution network automation. In the analysis, reduction in customer outage cost is considered as the benefit of implementing automation systems with capital investment, and annual operation and maintenance costs. In the Finnish regulation model, there is a special incentive based on customer outage cost reduction. As the main contribution of this paper, the impact of earth... 

In the past decade, distribution network operators have been broadly engrossed toward automated distribution networks. The operators acknowledge network automation as an efficient investment toward a better service reliability. This paper aims to provide a new long-term cost/benefit analysis for an optimal level of distribution network automation. In the analysis, reduction in customer outage cost is considered as the benefit of implementing automation systems with capital investment, and annual operation and maintenance costs. In the Finnish regulation model, there is a special incentive based on customer outage cost reduction. As the main contribution of this paper, the impact of earth... 

The increasing use of electrical energy in nowadays modern societies and industries has brought about a sharp need for more efficient means of electricity generation. It seems rather logical to increase the electricity production proportional to the increasing rate of the demand. Distributed Generation (DG) has been recently accepted to be one of the most efficient means of electricity generation, particularly near to the load centers. The DG has been also considered in the generation expansion planning of power systems. In this paper, three main factors associated with the DGs placement procedure is scrutinized through a multi-objective optimization approach. One of the main factors... 

Electric distribution system is one of the most important parts of power systems owing to delivering electricity to consumers. The major amount of losses in a power system is in distribution level. Optimal distributed generation (DG) placement and sizing have a significant effect on power loss reduction in distribution systems. In this paper, a mixed integer conic programming (MICP) approach is presented to solve the problem of DG placement, sizing, and hourly generation with the aim of reducing power loss and costs in radial distribution systems. The costs include both investment and operational costs of DGs. Hourly load variations are considered in the model. To verify the effectiveness of... 

Due to the lack of data in active distribution networks, employing new accurate measurement devices like phasor measurement units (PMUs) and micro-PMUs with a high reporting rate becomes an inevitable choice for the future vision of distribution systems. As a result, different algorithms have been presented to optimally place PMUs cost-effectively based on the estimation errors of the distribution state estimation (DSE) results. However, any component failure in measurement devices or communication links between sending ends and monitoring system of the distribution management system can significantly affect the DSE results. In response, this study introduces the reliability of satisfying... 

This paper presents an original approach for the evaluation of reliability of active distribution networks with unknown topology. Built upon novel reformulations of conventional definitions for distribution reliability indices, the dependence of system-oriented reliability metrics on network topology is explicitly formulated using a set of mixed-integer linear expressions. Unlike previously reported works also modeling mathematically the relationship between reliability assessment and network topology, the proposed approach allows considering the impact of distributed generation (DG) while accounting for switching interruptions. Moreover, for the first time in the emerging closely related... 

This paper presents a day-ahead scheduling approach for a multi-carrier residential energy system (MRES) including distributed energy resources (DERs). The main objective of the proposed scheduling approach is the minimization of the total costs of an MRES consisting of both electricity and gas energy carriers. The proposed model considers both electrical and natural gas distribution networks, DER technologies including renewable energy resources, energy storage systems (ESSs), and combined heat and power. The uncertainties pertinent to the demand and generated power of renewable resources are modeled using the chance-constrained approach. The proposed model is applied on the IEEE 33-bus... 

In this paper, we consider multiple cache-enabled clients connected to multiple servers through an intermediate network. We design several topology-aware coding strategies for such networks. Based on the topology richness of the intermediate network, and types of coding operations at internal nodes, we define three classes of networks, namely, dedicated, flexible, and linear networks. For each class, we propose an achievable coding scheme, analyze its coding delay, and also compare it with an information theoretic lower bound. For flexible networks, we show that our scheme is order-optimal in terms of coding delay and, interestingly, the optimal memory-delay curve is achieved in certain... 

The city of Zahedan, in South-eastern Iran, has high population growth, limited local freshwater resources and inadequate water distribution system resulting in water supply failures in recent years. This paper will investigate integration of several demand management measures such as leakage detection on water distribution network, water metering and low volume water fixtures as well as the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources of this city. For integration of water management criteria, compromise programming will be used as a multi-objective decision making method. The criteria include minimizing the cost, maximizing water supply and minimizing the social hazards due to the... 

This paper presents modeling of unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) in load flow calculations for steady-state voltage compensation. An accurate model for this device is derived to use in load flow calculations. The rating of this device as well as direction of reactive power injection required to compensate voltage to the desired value (1 p.u.) is derived and discussed analytically and mathematically using phasor diagram method. Since performance of the compensator varies when it reaches to its maximum capacity, modeling of UPQC in its maximum rating of reactive power injection is derived. The validity of the proposed model is examined using two standard distribution systems consisting... 

This paper presents modeling of Series Static Voltage Restorer (SSVR) in load flow calculations for steadystate voltage compensation. An accurate model for SSVR is derived to use in load flow calculations. The rating of this device as well as direction of required reactive power injection to compensate voltage to the desired value (1p.u.) is derived and discussed analytically and mathematically using pahsor diagram method. Since performance of SSVR varies when it reaches to its maximum capacity, modeling of SSVR in its maximum rating of reactive power injection is derived. The validity of the proposed model is examined using two standard distribution systems consisting of 33 and 69 nodes,...