System restoration is aimed at ensuring continuity of the electric supply to all loads
in a distribution system under abnormal conditions without violating electricalconstraints.
This adds the feature of “self-healing” to the distribution system to make
it as smart system. This paper presents a literature survey of published research
techniques on electric supply restoration over the period 1981–2024. Four categories
of distribution systems with different attributes are proposed by the present authors
to compare fairly among these techniques through implementation and running
the necessary codes for each restoration technique. Comparisons are concerned
with contribution, adopted technique, test model, advantages and disadvantages
as well as utilization of renewables. To meet the electrical-constraints on electric
supply restoration, fifteen challenges are selected, reviewed and discussed within
the comparisons. The algorithms based on graph theory showed better performance
regarding the challenges related to minimizing the energy-not-supplied, achieving
self-healing dream, preventing feeder overloading and maintaining the voltage
profile within limits when compared with other algorithms. The algorithms based
on linear and nonlinear programming showed better performance concerning the
challenges related to minimizing restoration time and preventing in-supply load
shedding when compared with other algorithms. The algorithms based on heuristics
and metaheuristics showed better performance concerning the challenges related
to system configuration, generating optimal sequence of switches, minimizing the
number of ordered switches and reducing the restoration cost when compared with
other algorithms. The future trends of the supply restoration in smart distribution
systems are also discussed. The present survey is concluded with a summary of
the findings from the literature survey and outlines potential directions for future
research. It highlights the key opportunities to support researchers in advancing
more intelligent restoration strategies for electric supply in smart distribution systems