Strategic Switch Placement and Renewable Wind Integration Through Network Reconfiguration with the Modified Cheetah Optimizer

This paper addresses the optimization challenge of strategically placing sectionalizing switches in distribution networks, crucial for reliable electricity supply, especially with the growing integration of renewable sources like wind power. The objective is to minimize total costs, including installation costs, unserved demand, and interruption costs during islanded mode. Using the Modified Cheetah Optimizer and formulating two key objective functions, the paper presents a comprehensive optimization approach that balances cost-effectiveness, reliability, and renewable energy utilization. Case studies demonstrate the approach's effectiveness in minimizing costs, improving reliability, and introducing network reconfiguration as a crucial element for holistic enhancement. These findings offer insightful perspectives on tradeoffs and synergies between cost minimization and reliability enhancement in distribution systems with renewable energy. By adopting a holistic optimization approach, including network reconfiguration, this paper significantly contributes to the development of robust distribution systems in the era of renewable energy integration.