Optimal Installation of Different DG Types in Radial Distribution System Considering Load Growth

Abstract

In power distribution network, the gradual increase in system load is a natural process, and it results in increased real and reactive power losses and reduced voltage profile. In this paper, optimal single and multiple installations of different types of distributed generation (DG) units are used to handle annual growth in system load, while satisfying system operational constraints. For load growth study, a predetermined growth in system annual load is considered. Minimization of system total real power loss is taken as the main objective, and optimal location and sizing of different DG types are determined using a hybrid configuration of weight-improved particle swarm optimization (WIPSO) with gravitational search algorithm (GSA) called hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm. The effect of load growth is studied using standard 33-bus radial distribution system, and the results illustrate significant reduction in system real and reactive power losses, enhancement in system voltage profile, and improvement in load carrying capacity of distribution feeder sections. Moreover, the economic benefits of DG on system annual load growth are also established. Also, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by comparing the results with other evolutionary optimization techniques.

Keywords::

• distributed generation (DG), optimal DG location and sizing, load growth
• loss reduction
• voltage profile enhancement
• weight-improved particle swarm optimization (WIPSO) algorithm
• gravitational search algorithm (GSA)
• hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their valuable comments.

Funding

The work of Arulraj R was supported by Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship of University Grants Commission (India) under the grant number RGNF-2014-15-SC-TAM-60538.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arulraj Rajendran

BIOGRAPHIES

Arulraj Rajendran was born in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, in 1988. He received his B.E. degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the SSN College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Tamil Nadu, India, in 2010 and his M.E. degree in power system engineering from the Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, India, in 2013. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering at the Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, India. He has published 6 papers in international conferences. His current research interests include distributed generation, distribution system planning, distribution system reliability, and evolutionary algorithms.

Kumarappan Narayanan

Kumarappan Narayanan was born on November 27, 1961. He received his graduate degree from the Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, India, in 1982, his post-graduate degree from the Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, India, in 1989, and his Ph.D. degree from the CEG Anna University, Tamil Nadu, India, in 2004, under QIP fellowship, AICTE, India. He is currently a professor and head with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University. He has published more than 116 international journal and conference papers. Dr. Kumarappan is a senior member of IEEE, Life Fellow of the Institution of Engineer's (India), and a Life Member of the Indian Society of Technical Education. He is a speaker, reviewer, and session chair for IEEE/IET-U.K. international conferences and other international journals. His current research interests include power system operation and control, power system reliability, smart grid, and artificial intelligence techniques.