Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Based DG Units Siting and Sizing Based on Loadability Improvement of Distribution Feeder of Nepal

Abstract

Distribution system is an indispensable component of the power delivery system. The system voltage, loadability, reliability, and stability are more vulnerable to the changes in system operations. The integration of distributed generation (DG) units in the distribution network affects the system voltage, power loss, and loadability. As load demand is increasing, it is needed to build new infrastructure or need to adjust the existing one. The application of DG units in the power system is increasing day by day and is projected to rise in the upcoming days. The integration of the units must be in an optimal manner such that the system will operate with peak efficiency. Various strategies based on consecutive DG location selection after one DG unit has been installed cannot provide the optimal option for maximum system loadability, minimal power loss, and voltage profile improvement. The artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is used in this paper to optimize the size and location of multi-DG units in the distribution system to improve system loadability, minimize power loss, and improve the voltage profile of the network while taking into account line limit, and voltage magnitudes as system constraints. The used methodology has been validated in standard IEEE-69 radial distribution system (RDS) and Thadi distribution system (TDS) of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Nepal. The proposed algorithm’s output supports the need for simultaneous sizing and positioning of multi-DG units to improve loadability, reduces the loss, and optimizes the voltage profile of the distribution system.