Distribution Systems Planning Considering Operational Performance and Power Quality Indices

This paper presents a methodology for distribution systems planning considering operational performance and power quality indices. This methodology uses real data from the power distribution company’s legacy systems, such as GIS, SCADA and OMS, and reunites a range of tools used in the planning process, including planning studies’ automatic cost calculation, based on real modular costs used by the company. At the last stage of the planning process, investment optimization is addressed by a genetic algorithm considering multiple regions of study. The proposed methodology is applied to a case study, where all stages of the planning process are covered for five real distribution systems planning projects divided in three different regions of study, composed by eight substations and their respective 74 power distribution feeders, with 299,982 consumers and 3,689.35 kilometers of primary distribution networks. The proposed approach provides significant improvements to the current planning process adopted by the company and assists planning engineers in the decision-making of investment in distribution systems planning studies.