Transmission expansion planning considering substation arrangements

Transmission expansion planning (TEP) is aimed at expanding the existing transmission system to satisfy potential power demand growth and future power plant expansion. Generally speaking, the TEP problem can be mathematically modeled as a large scale, non-convex, and non-linear optimization problem. Uncertainties causing by development of renewable energy, electricity market, and load fluctuations are also taken into consideration. The tradition TEP problem can be solved using stochastic mixed integer linear programming and contingency analysis. However, the practical application of TEP problems generates some questions. This thesis mainly focuses on certain restrictions ignored by traditional TEP problem formulation, which are important in practice and will change the optimal solution completely. By adding certain restrictions based on spacing arrangements on substations, TEP problems can be solved more efficiently and will be more valuable for industry.