Novel Amalgamation of Bat and Elephant Herd Optimization Algorithms for Generation Mix in Renewable Active Distribution Networks

Abstract

In this article, a hybrid approach is proposed that amalgamates two prominent nature-inspired, swarm-based, meta-heuristic techniques. The amalgamation is done to solve the mix generation, complex real-life optimization problems for renewable active distribution network (ADN). Some observed shortcomings of the bat algorithm (BA) are overcome by an effective introduction of elephant herding optimization (EHO) without altering its internal mechanism. The new transformations are validated by solving a real-life optimization problem of distributed generations for power loss minimization in power distribution networks. The performance of the proposed hybrid method is found to be promising when compared with some of the well-known optimizations in the literature. The proposed amalgamation has strengthened the exploration and exploitation potential of the new algorithm in a way that, their precise balance seeks the global optima. After validations, this technique is deployed to solve a multiobjective problem of optimal generation mix for renewable ADN for various test cases. Key objectives of the designed model of mix generation in ADN include annual energy losses, bus voltage profiles, and net demand variants of the networks over multiple load levels. The optimization problems model is implemented and solved for two test systems that include a benchmark 33 bus and a real-life 108 bus distribution network. The results comparison reveals that the proposed method significantly improved the system performances in terms of reduced annual energy loss by 55.95% and 44.48%, improved bus voltage profiles by 7.94% and 11.20%, and reduced net power demand fluctuations by 52.00% and 37.60% for 33 bus and 108 bus distribution network, respectively. The suggested optimization model outperforms the current existing approaches and has promising exploration and exploitation capabilities to address optimization problems in engineering.

Keywords:

• active distribution network
• bat-inspired optimization
• elephant herd optimization
• hybrid optimization
• renewable energy source

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pushpendra Singh

Pushpendra Singh was born in Rajasthan, India. He received the PhD degree from Rajasthan Technical University Kota, India in 2022 and M.Tech. degree in power systems from Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) Jaipur, Jaipur, India, in 2011. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Department of Electrical Engineering, Govt. Women Engineering College Ajmer, Ajmer, India. His research area is focused on DER planning, optimization techniques, and electrical energy storage.

S. K. Bishnoi

S. K. Bishnoi was born in Jodhpur, India in 1967. He received his M.E. degree in control systems from Mugneeram Bangur Memorial (MBM) Engineering College, Jodhpur, India in 2000 and Ph.D. degree from Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) Jaipur, Jaipur,India in 2012. He is presently Associate Professor in Department of ECE, Govt. Engineering College, Bikaner, India. His research interests include control & drives, AI-techniques, DER planning.

N. K Meena

N. K. Meena received the B.Tech.–M.Tech. (Dual) degrees in electrical engineering from IIT Kanpur, India, in 2011, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the MNIT Jaipur, India, in 2018. He is currently a senior principal consultant (energy & power system) with power and utilities at NTT data UK & Ireland, London, U.K. His research interests and work experience include power system design and planning, active network management, optimization, renewable and energy storage systems from LV to EHV networks.

Farhad Ilahi Bakhsh

Farhad Ilahi Bakhsh received the Ph.D. degree from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India and B.Tech in 2017. B.Tech and M.Tech. degree in electrical engineering and power systems from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India in 2010 and 2012, respectively. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Srinagar. His research area of interests includes Performance Analysis and new applications of Variable Frequency Transformer, Application of Power Electronics & Drives in Renewable Energy Systems (Solar & Wind), Multilevel Converters, Alternate Energy Vehicles (Electric/ Hybrid) and Multi-phase Drives.