Optimal Placement and Size of Distributed Generators Based on Autoadd and PSO to Improve Voltage Profile and Minimize Power Losses

Abstract

This work aims to improve the voltage profile and reduce electricalnetwork losses through optimal planning of distributed generators. A newsearch algorithm (Autoadd) along with the (PSO) are introduced to choosethe best location and size for distributed generators. Two systems areimplemented; a 33-bus test network and a 30-bus of a local community inthe city of Al- Diwaniyah. At the power flow, a solution is implementedusing a fixed-point iteration method within an OpenDSS environment tocheck the performance of both networks. Moreover, the optimal locationand size of the distributed generators are determined using Autoadd andPSO methods. The Autoadd method is implemented within the OpenDSSenvironment, while the (PSO) method is implemented within the MATLABOpenDSS environment through the com-interface. The validity andeffectiveness of the proposed methods are validated by comparison withthe published researches. The results have proven that the fixed-pointmethod has achieved high efficiency and accuracy in terms of analyzingthe power flow, whereas the (Autoadd) algorithm has achieved a bettereffect in terms of improving the voltage profile and minimizing losses