optimizing Location of Power Transformers Using Queuing Theory and Linear Programming

Abstract

Electric column network is progressively becoming more and more complex, consuming an enormous amount of resources, and affecting the environment. The design of an electric column network system consists of various steps among which the location of the electric columns and related maintenance costs due to weathering effects. In this paper, it is proposed a model that helps users choose sites where to locate power transformers in a residential town as well as choose loads of these transformers to be serving the customers. This model also helps in assessing strategic decisions through constraints that force each transformer to be capacitated enough to fit the expected required load at its serving area, while taking into account quality of service constraints from the citizens’ point of view. The model is applied to a city with existing electric columns to show how replacing electric columns by transformers minimize the overall cost and helps with preventive maintenance system.