Bendjeghaba, O.Ouahdi, D.2015-06-292015-06-2920082008 IEEE 2nd International Power and Energy Conference, PECon 2008; Johor Baharu; Malaysia; 1 December 2008 through 3 December 2008; Category numberCFP08820; Code 75682978-142442405-4https://dspace.univ-boumerdes.dz123456789/2125This paper considers a redundancy allocation problem for a multi-state power system. This type of problems involves selection of components with multiple choices and redundancy levels that produce maximum benefits, subject to the system availability and demand constraints. The presented multi agent ant system finds the optimal system topology by choosing system elements from a list of available equipments. Each element is characterized by its productivity, availability and cost. The objective is to minimize the total investment costs while satisfying both system availability and demand constraints. The procedure based on the generalized Ushakov's technique is used for evaluation of the system availability. Illustrative examples demonstrate how to obtain the optimal structures of the power system for different system availability constraintsenGeneralised ushakov's techniqueMulti agent ant system (MAAS)Multi-state power systems (MSPS)Redundancy allocation problem (RAP)Electric power transmission networksInvestmentsPower transmissionQuality assuranceRedundancyGeneralised ushakov's techniqueIllustrative examplesMulti agent ant system (MAAS)Multi-state power systems (MSPS)Multiple choicesOptimal structuresRedundancy allocation problem (RAP)System availabilitiesSystem elementsSystem topologiesTotal investmentsMulti agent systemsArticle