An Improved Crow Search Algorithm Applied to the Phase Swapping Problem in Asymmetric Distribution Systems

Application of the Hurricane-Based Optimization Algorithm to the Phase-Balancing Problem in Three-Phase Asymmetric Networks

This article addresses the problem of optimal phase-swapping in asymmetric distribution grids through the application of hurricane-based optimization algorithm (HOA). The exact mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is solved by using a master–slave optimization procedure. The master stage is entrusted with the definition of load connection at each stage by using an integer codification that ensures that, per node, only one from the possible six-load connections is assigned. In the slave stage, the load connection set provided by the master stage is applied with the backward/forward power flow method in its matricial form to determine the amount of grid power losses. The computational performance of the HOA was tested in three literature test feeders composed of 8, 25, and 37 nodes. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed master–slave optimization approach when compared with the classical Chu and Beasley genetic algorithm (CBGA) and the discrete vortex search algorithm (DVSA). The reductions reached with HOA were 24.34%, 4.16%, and 19.25% for the 8-, 28-, and 37-bus systems; this confirms the literature reports in the first two test feeders and improves the best current solution of the IEEE 37-bus grid. All simulations are carried out in the MATLAB programming environment.

Application of the Crow Search Algorithm to the Problem of the Parametric Estimation in Transformers Considering Voltage and Current Measures

The problem of the electrical characterization of single-phase transformers is addressed in this research through the application of the crow search algorithm (CSA). A nonlinear programming model to determine the series and parallel impedances of the transformer is formulated using the mean square error (MSE) between the voltages and currents measured and calculated as the objective function. The CSA is selected as a solution technique since it is efficient in dealing with complex nonlinear programming models using penalty factors to explore and exploit the solution space with minimum computational effort. Numerical results in three single-phase transformers with nominal sizes of 20 kVA, 45 kVA, 112.5 kVA, and 167 kVA demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach to define the transformer parameters when compared with the large-scale nonlinear solver fmincon in the MATLAB programming environment. Regarding the final objective function value, the CSA reaches objective functions lower than 2.75×10−11 for all the simulation cases, which confirms their effectiveness in minimizing the MSE between real (measured) and expected (calculated) voltage and current variables in the transformer.

Approximated Mixed-Integer Convex Model for Phase Balancing in Three-Phase Electric Networks

With this study, we address the optimal phase balancing problem in three-phase networks with asymmetric loads in reference to a mixed-integer quadratic convex (MIQC) model. The objective function considers the minimization of the sum of the square currents through the distribution lines multiplied by the average resistance value of the line. As constraints are considered for the active and reactive power redistribution in all the nodes considering a 3×3 binary decision variable having six possible combinations, the branch and nodal current relations are related to an extended upper-triangular matrix. The solution offered by the proposed MIQC model is evaluated using the triangular-based three-phase power flow method in order to determine the final steady state of the network with respect to the number of power loss upon the application of the phase balancing approach. The numerical results in three radial test feeders composed of 8, 15, and 25 nodes demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed MIQC model as compared to metaheuristic optimizers such as the genetic algorithm, black hole optimizer, sine–cosine algorithm, and vortex search algorithm. All simulations were carried out in MATLAB 2020a using the CVX tool and the Gurobi solver.