Switching Optimization | Distribution Management Software | ETAP

Switching Optimization

Switching Optimization

Feeder Balancing & Loss Minimization

Switching Optimization is a tool to automatically determine the optimal system configuration to achieve a single or multiple user-specified objectives.

It provides optimal status of existing switching devices and suggests locations for new tie open points in the system. It can be used by the design or operation engineers to minimize system real losses and reduce or eliminate abnormal operating conditions.

This tool can be applied on large scale distribution radial and lightly looped three-phase or single-phase systems. It is capable of considering a single load level, multiple load levels, as well as a user specified load profile

Switching Optimization Key Features

Improve system kW losses to reduce operating cost
Minimize voltage violations and reduce number of abnormal voltage conditions
Minimize overload and reduce the number of overloaded equipment
Balance feeder loads and determine load transfers from a heavily loaded substation or feeder to another through tie-points
Phase Load Balancing objective 
Limit the exposure of certain critical feeders by transferring part of their load to other feeders and improve reliability
List of recommended switching operations
Network summary on loading, kW losses for before and after optimization
Overloaded equipment’s for the initial and final network configurations
Voltage violations for the initial and optimal network configurations
Alert & visual display on One-line & GIS Diagram 
Automatic creation and saving of optimal configuration
Enhanced modeling for switched capacitor banks