Intelligent Terminals Optimal Configuration Considering Flexible Resource Adjustment and Reliability

[Objective] With the large-scale integration of flexible resources such as distributed generation （DG），energy storage systems （ESS），and soft open points （SOP） in distribution networks，the traditional “two-remote” and “three-remote” terminal configuration methods are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of automated control. There is an urgent need to introduce “four-remote” terminals for coordinated configuration. [Methods] Considering the functional characteristics of “three-remote” and “four-remote” terminals，a two-layer optimization optimal configuration method for intelligent terminals is proposed. The upper-layer planning aims to minimize the comprehensive cost，including equipment investment and maintenance costs，wind and solar curtailment costs，and power outage losses，while ensuring the global observability of the distribution network. A terminal location optimization model is constructed. The lower-layer operation，based on the upper-layer planning results，establishes a multi-objective optimization model for N-1 fault recovery scenarios，targeting the minimization of power outage losses，wind and solar curtailment costs，and voltage deviations. The proposed model is solved using a hybrid algorithm combining the slime mould algorithm （SMA） and second-order cone programming. [Results] Validation test case shows that the proposed method reduces the comprehensive cost by 69.15% and 7.11% compared to scenarios without terminal configuration and with only “three-remote” terminal configuration，respectively. It improves power supply reliability by 0.026 1% and 0.002 2%，reduces total wind and solar curtailment by 37.79% and 4.46%，and decreases voltage deviations by 53.04% and 49.43%. [Conclusions] The proposed configuration method demonstrates significant advantages in improving investment economics，power supply reliability，renewable energy integration capability，and voltage quality. It also accommodates various flexible resource scenarios，providing a theoretical basis for the coordinated configuration of “three-remote” and “four-remote” terminals in flexible distribution networks.