Sequential disaster recovery strategy for distribution network considering maintenance crew scheduling

Abstract To efficiently restore electricity customers from a large-scale blackout, this paper proposes a novel mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model for the optimal disaster recovery of power distribution systems. The physical maintenance crew (PMC) repairs damaged components and fosters synergy between the PMC scheduling model and the load restoration scheme. This collaboration generates optimal control sequences for scheduling maintenance routes and managing switches. Furthermore, there is a mismatch between the time scales of maintenance personnel scheduling and equipment repair, which can span from minutes to hours, and the much shorter time scales involved in load restoration and switching actions. To reconcile this mismatch, a “maintenance event triggering” mechanism is suggested. This mechanism aims to achieve harmony between the longer and shorter time frames, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. Finally, this paper verified the practical effect of this co-optimization model on a modified IEEE33 busbar test system.