Integer Linear Programming for optimizing the position of IEDs in Medium Voltage smart grids

摘要

The paper deals with an analytical method for solving the problem of optimal positioning of IEDs used as circuit breakers for isolating the fault in medium voltage grids. The use of IEDs allows to automatically select the faulty section by means of a logic selectivity approach on medium voltage grids with radial topology. The optimization of their position assures the maximum benefits granted by the set number of IEDs installed. Two different approaches to solve the problem are presented. The first one solves the problem through an exhaustive analysis of all possible scenarios. The second one exploits integer linear programming with the branch and bound technique. The latter, being an exact resolution technique, will provide, like the first approach, the exact solution to the problem, with notable advantages in terms of computational effort.