Automated primary distribution system design: Reliability and cost optimization

After the routing of a primary distribution system has been established, the system needs to be designed in detail-switches and protection devices must be placed, automation schemes must be decided upon, and so on, This design stage has a critical impact on the reliability and cost of a distribution system, This paper proposes an economic criterion for this design stage, compares several automated design methods, and identifies the algorithm best suited for distribution system reliability; and cost optimization, This method is then applied to an existing utility distribution feeder and the results are discussed.