Repair and Resource Scheduling in Unbalanced Distribution Systems using Neighborhood Search

Abstract

This paper proposes an optimization strategy to assist utility operators to recover power distribution systems after large outages. Specifically, a novel mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed for co-optimizing crews, resources, and network operations. The MILP model coordinates the damage isolation, network reconfiguration, distributed generator re-dispatch, and crew/resource logistics. We consider two different types of crews, namely, line crews for damage repair and tree crews for obstacle removal. We also model the repair resource logistic constraints. Furthermore, a new algorithm is developed for solving the distribution system repair and restoration problem (DSRRP). The algorithm starts by solving DSRRP using an assignment-based method, then a neighborhood search method is designed to iteratively improve the solution. The proposed method is validated on the modified IEEE 123-bus distribution test system.