Pareto-Based Multi-Objective Distribution Network Reconfiguration for Active Power Loss Reduction and Reliability Improvement Using OpenDSS

Abstract

Optimal distribution network reconfiguration modifies feeder topology through switching actions to improve electrical performance and service continuity. However, integrated and reproducible approaches that explicitly combine Pareto-based loss–reliability trade-off analysis, AC electrical evaluation, and clearly defined feasibility criteria remain comparatively limited, particularly in studies extending beyond standard benchmark systems. This paper presents a Pareto-based computational framework for radial distribution network reconfiguration that combines an NSGA-II-type evolutionary search with AC power-flow evaluation in OpenDSS®. The search retains non-dominated sorting, crowding-distance-based diversity preservation, and elitist environmental selection, while offspring are generated through a graph-aware close–open branch-exchange mutation adapted to radial DNR. Accordingly, the evolutionary component is used as a problem-oriented search strategy rather than as a new canonical NSGA-II variant. Active power losses and SAIDI are minimized simultaneously, while SAIFI is reported as a derived reliability indicator and ENS as a complementary metric. Connectivity, radiality, and power-flow convergence define feasibility, while voltage compliance and load supply are subsequently assessed to characterize the operational status of each configuration. The framework is evaluated on a synthetic 5-node system, the IEEE 33-node benchmark, and an anonymized planning-oriented model of a real 13.2 kV Colombian distribution network. For the IEEE 33-node system, the minimum-loss configuration reduces losses by 26.03%, whereas the compromise solution achieves a 25.88% loss reduction and a 21.52% improvement in SAIDI. Across 20 paired runs, both the graph-aware strategy and a canonical NSGA-II baseline with topology repair recovered the same five-point empirical non-dominated set, including the classical minimum-loss topology without explicit seeding. For the real system, the operational compromise reduces active power losses by 38.88%, improves SAIDI by 23.11%, and increases the minimum voltage from 0.826 to 0.915 p.u. These results show that minimum-loss operation does not necessarily provide the most balanced trade-off between electrical efficiency and expected service continuity, supporting the use of explicit Pareto analysis for planning-oriented distribution network reconfiguration.