Optimal Topology Transition

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of optimal topology transition (OTT) for power networks, aiming to find the best transition path between initial and desired topologies while optimizing performance and satisfying operational constraints.

Contribution

It formulates OTT as a mixed-integer program and develops a specialized algorithm, enabling simultaneous optimization of network topology and transition trajectory.

Findings

Proposed OTT effectively finds optimal transition trajectories.

Transition-embedded topology optimization improves network performance.

Numerical results show superiority over ad hoc transition methods.

Abstract

Network topology has significant impacts on operational performance of power systems. While extensive research efforts have been devoted to optimization of network topology for improving various system performances, the problem of how to transition from the initial topology to the desired optimal topology requires study. To address this problem, we propose the concept of optimal topology transition (OTT). This aims to find the topology transition trajectory from an initial topology to a desired terminal topology, which optimizes certain transition performance and satisfies operational constraints. The OTT problem is further formulated as a mixed-integer program under certain assumptions. Next, we propose the formulation of transition-embedded topology optimization that is capable of optimizing network topology and its transition trajectory simultaneously. Considering the time complexity of directly solving the mixed-integer programs, an efficient problem-specific solution algorithm is developed. Finally, numerical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed OTT and transition-embedded topology optimization models, as well as the superiority of the obtained optimal transition trajectories compared to ad hoc transition trajectories.