A GA Based Transmission Network Expansion Planning Considering Voltage Level, Network Losses and Number of Bundle Lines

Abstract

Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) was studied considering voltage level, network losses and number of bundle lines using decimal codification based genetic algorithm (DCGA). TNEP determines the characteristic and performance of the future electric power network and directly influences the operation of power system. Up till now, various methods have been presented for the solution of the Static Transmission Network Expansion Planning (STNEP) problem. However, in all of these methods, STNEP problem has been solved regardless of voltage level of transmission lines. For this reason and according to various voltage levels and different number of bundle lines used in real transmission network which caused different annual losses, STNEP was studied considering voltage level, network losses and number of bundle lines using genetic algorithm. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have demonstrated the ability to deal with non-convex, nonlinear, mixed-integer optimization problems, like the TNEP problem, better than a number of mathematical methodologies. The proposed method was tested on an actual transmission network of the Azerbaijan regional electric company, Iran, to illustrate its robust performance. The results were shown that considering the network losses in a network with different voltage levels and the number of bundle lines considerably decreased the operational costs and the network can be satisfied the requirement of delivering electric power more safely and reliably to load centers.