MDP-based Distribution Network Reconfiguration with Renewable Distributed Generation: An Approximate Dynamic Programming Approach

Growing penetration of renewable distributed generation, a major concern nowadays, has played a critical role in distribution system operation. This paper develops a state-based sequential network reconfiguration strategy by using a Markov decision process (MDP) model with the objective of minimizing renewable distributed generation curtailment and load shedding under operational constraints. Available power outputs of distributed generators and the system topology in each decision time are represented as Markov states, which are driven to other Markov states in next decision time in consideration of uncertainties of renewable distributed generation. For each Markov state in each decision time, a recursive optimization model with a current cost and a future cost is developed to make state-based actions, including system reconfiguration, load shedding, and distributed generation curtailment. To address the curse of dimensionality caused by enormous states and actions in the proposed model, an approximate dynamic programming (ADP) approach, including post-decision states and forward dynamic algorithm, is used to solve the proposed MDP-based model. IEEE 33-bus system and IEEE 123-bus system are used to validate the proposed model.