Decomposition-based global optimization for optimal design of power distribution systems

This paper is concerned with global optimization of an alternating current optimal power flow (ACOPF) problem for optimal design of power distribution systems. The global optimization is challenging due to the high nonconvexity and the large size of the problem. An enhanced decomposition-based global optimization method is developed, based on the optimization model and the global optimization framework presented by Frank and Rebennack [1]. The constraint qualification failure that may arise in the proposed optimization framework is avoided by a novel problem reformulation. Case study results demonstrate the potential of the proposed framework for global optimization of realistic ACOPF problems.