Optimal design of medium voltage distribution networks based on possible risk criteria to increase reliability - Part I: Redesigning the existing network

Mohammadian - Alirezachaei, Hadi; Najafi Ravadanegh, Sajad

doi:10.22077/ijpe.2025.9432.1016

Optimal design of medium voltage distribution networks based on possible risk criteria to increase reliability - Part I: Redesigning the existing network

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hadi Mohammadian - Alirezachaei ¹

Sajad Najafi Ravadanegh ²

¹ Department of Electrical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran

² Smart Distribution Grid Research Lab, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran

10.22077/ijpe.2025.9432.1016

Abstract

In this paper, a part of the results from the research project entitled ‘Optimal Design of Medium Voltage Distribution Networks Based on Risk Criteria to Enhance Reliability’ is presented. The purpose of this research is to develop a methodology for optimally and resiliently designing distribution networks within a probabilistic framework, by incorporating uncertainties in input parameters to enhance network reliability. In solving the problem, the three main questions, namely location, time and capacity of each of the important elements of the medium voltage network, will be answered in the presence of these uncertainties. In this approach, three key questions in the design of medium-voltage distribution networks are examined: the optimal location of key network elements, the appropriate time for equipment expansion or replacement, and the appropriate capacity of each network component. These questions are analyzed in the presence of various uncertainties including load demand, renewable energy source output, equipment reliability, and environmental conditions. The results show that the proposed approach can significantly improve the overall reliability of the distribution network while reducing operational and financial risk. This method performs better than traditional deterministic design methods, especially in conditions of high uncertainty.

Keywords

Active distribution network

Medium voltage

Operation

Reliability

Redesign

uncertainty