Specialized tabu search metaheuristic for the optimal switch operation sequencing problem in distribution system reconfiguration

This paper proposes a specialized metaheuristic algorithm, based on tabu search, to solve the optimal switching operations sequencing (SOS) problem in the reconfiguration of electric power distribution networks. The primary objective is to transition the initial radial topology to an optimal radial configuration, minimizing the amount of energy not supplied throughout the switching process. At each step, switch operations generate intermediate topologies that must satisfy two conditions: (i) the energized portion of the network must remain radial, and (ii) all operational constraints are strictly maintained. Due to the high complexity of the SOS problem, a specialized tabu search, enhanced with diversification and intensification strategies, is employed to efficiently explore the solution space and prevent cycling. Computational tests were carried out using systems of different sizes from the literature. The results showed that the method achieves high-quality solutions in a computational time compatible with real applications.