Reliability improvement in distribution systems employing an integrated voltage sag mitigation method using binary gravitational search algorithm

A method for improving the level of reliability of distribution systems is presented by employing an integrated voltage sag mitigation method that comprises a two-staged strategy,namely,distribution network reconfiguration(DNR)followed by DSTATCOM placement.Initially,an optimal DNR is applied to reduce the propagated voltage sags during the test period.The second stage involves optimal placement of the DSTATCOM to assist the already reconfigured network.The gravitational search algorithm is used in the process of optimal DNR and in placing DSTATCOM.Reliability assessment is performed using the well-known indices.The simulation results show that the proposed method is efficient and feasible for improving the level of system reliability.