Service restoration in distribution networks via network reconfiguration

The principle and the implementation of a heuristic methodology to restore service to the isolated portions of a distribution system via network reconfiguration are described. The methodology determines a minimum possible number of switching operations needed to restore service to network branches that are isolated due to forced or scheduled outages. Major operating constraints are taken into account in the restoration. A computer program has been developed based on this methodology for use in operations planning of the PG&E distribution system.<<ETX>>