Review of active distribution network reconfiguration: Past progress and future directions

As power grids become more complex with the rise of renewable energy and local energy sources like rooftop solar panels, managing electricity efficiently is more challenging than ever. In a study published in Access, a group of researchers from the Brazil, Syria, Iran and U.K., focuses on how to make electric power distribution systems more efficient by changing the way they are configured. In power systems, this process is called Distribution System Reconfiguration. It's used to reduce power losses and improve how electricity flows across the network by opening and closing certain switches. Our study presents a major step forward in understanding how to better reconfigure these increasingly “active” networks—where electricity flows in multiple directions and must adapt to changing conditions.

We reviewed 52 different methods used to reconfigure active distribution networks (ADNs), grouping them into five categories: traditional approaches, mathematical programming, meta-heuristic algorithms, machine learning, and hybrid methods. What’s new in our study is not just the coverage, but a systematic comparison across these methods, using clear scoring criteria to evaluate their complexity, effectiveness, and practical value.

This work shines a new light on a rapidly evolving field. While earlier reviews were often incomplete or inconsistent, our study fills those gaps by offering a complete picture—from the models and algorithms to the testing systems and practical challenges. We also identify common weaknesses, like excessive reliance on switch operations or lack of real-world testing, and offer constructive suggestions for researchers moving forward. One surprise was how little some advanced methods—like machine learning—have been applied in real-world settings despite their theoretical promise. This highlights a need for better integration between simulation and practical application.

Ultimately, this study offers more than just a summary—it serves as a roadmap for engineers, researchers, and policymakers working to make electric grids cleaner, more resilient, and more efficient. As the world transitions to greener energy, smarter grid reconfiguration will be key—and this paper provides the tools to do it right.

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