Analytic hierarchy process-based optimal load scheduling framework in an islanded distribution network

This paper proposes an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based optimal load scheduling (AOLS) framework in an islanded distribution network to schedule power among prioritized loads under limited generation conditions. The scheduling problem is solved in two stages: in the first stage, AHP is used to determine the priority ranking of loads by assigning weights that are calculated based on the relative importance of loads and their attributes; in the second stage, optimal load scheduling is implemented by minimizing the total cost of load curtailment, subjected to network constraints and security limits. The scheduling problem is solved in four different cases by varying the total power generation using General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) to supply power to the loads in the order of priority. Taking the modified IEEE 34 node distribution network as an example, a simulation study is performed to show that the total cost of load curtailment according to AOLS is 18.51%, 24.86%, 28.65%, and 31.54% less than that of optimal load scheduling framework with equal weightage to all loads (OLSEW) in cases 1, 2, 3 & 4, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed AOLS framework.