Li, KaiYu2010-04-292010-04-292010-04-292010http://hdl.handle.net/10012/5119This thesis presents the findings of some research carried out pertaining to economic operation and planning distribution systems. An optimal capacitor switching algorithm is developed for distribution system based on backward-forward sweep algorithm, which can assist in real-time applications. Thereafter, an optimal reconfiguration algorithm is proposed for distribution networks that seek to minimize losses by reducing the number of spanning trees in the network. The proposed algorithm provides a faster solution method and is useful for practical applications. Finally, the issues of short-term operating and long term planning of distribution networks in the presence of distributed generators is examined. An optimization framework is developed to determine the optimal locations of these distributed generator units.enDistribution SystemsMaster ThesisElectrical and Computer Engineering