Abstract
Distribution system planning is undergoing a change in paradigm in the context of deregulation and with penetration of distributed generation (DG) sources into distribution networks. This study presents a new heuristic approach based on a back-propagation algorithm combined with cost-benefit analysis to comprehensive multi-year distribution system planning. The planning problem incorporates various energy supply options for local distribution companies such as DG sources, substations and feeders and determines the optimum capacities, locations and upgrade plans. Test results comprising a 32 bus system and the IEEE 69 bus system are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method. The results are compared with an optimisation solution, and it is demonstrated that the heuristic approach can achieve better performance and has higher computational efficiency.