Enhancing power distribution performance through simultaneous optimization of voltage regulators placement and conductor selection: A multi-period MILP approach

Maintaining optimal voltage profiles and minimizing technical losses are critical challenges in power distribution systems, particularly under significant load fluctuations. This paper presents a novel mathematical model that simultaneously optimizes voltage regulator (VR) placement and conductor selection (CS) using a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model. The model accounts for three distinct load periods, providing a realistic representation of real-world operating conditions. The principal advantage of using voltage regulators (VRs) and reconductoring is their ability to enhance voltage profiles and reduce technical losses. Two test systems, with 33 and 69 buses, were evaluated, and results demonstrated that the proposed multi-period MILP approach effectively performs optimal conductor selection (OCS) and optimal placement of voltage regulators (OPVRs), leading to substantial reductions in system losses and investment costs. Unlike the commonly employed metaheuristic techniques for addressing these problems, the proposed methodology ensures global optimality. Moreover, the integration of OCS and OPVRs has not been previously explored in the specialized literature. This approach represents a substantial advancement over traditional methods and plays a critical role in guaranteeing efficient power delivery in heavily loaded distribution networks.