Optimal Integration of Distributed Generation in a Radial Distribution System Using BW/FW Sweep and PSO Algorithm

Installation of distributed generations (DGs) could be an effective solution to the problem of shortage of the electric energy especially in populated areas. Installation of DG in non-suitable places can result in more energy losses and voltage instability which leads to higher operating cost. DGs should be placed optimally in the network to get maximum efficiency of the system. This paper presents a new method to solve the optimal sizing and placement of DGs with the aim of minimizing real power loss and improving voltage profile in a distribution system. A power flow technique based on Backward/Forward (BW/FW) sweep is used to calculate the system losses through different branches. Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used to find out the optimal size and to identify the DG units placement in a radial distribution system simultaneously. Different scenarios of DG capacity are considered. The constraints of voltage and current through branches are investigated. The method is tested on 33-bus and 69-bus radial distribution systems to demonstrate the performance and the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results obtained are discussed and analyzed where they proved the usefulness of the applied algorithm.