Implementation of Bacterial Foraging Algorithm Based Model for UPQC Placement in a Practical Distribution Feeder

Abstract

This paper proposes the implementation of a Bacterial Foraging Algorithm (BFA) based approach for optimal positioning and sizing of Universal Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) in a radial distribution network. The objective here is to demonstrate the strength and capability of the approach in the placement of UPQC in not just standard test networks, but also in practical power distribution networks. A simple and direct power flow computation is performed to determine the network base-case scenario. Based on the power flow outcome, the network bus voltage deviation VD is formulated and combined with the total active power loss PLoaa(Total) to form a multi-objective function needed by the BFA in order to improve voltage stability and minimize losses, while at the same time maintaining the network constraints. The BFA approach is implemented on a practical 50-bus Canteen Feeder for steady-state normal loading condition. The performance of the technique on the standard IEEE 33-bus test network as established in an earlier literature is once again reported in this paper, after which the results obtained from the practical distribution feeder analysis is presented. Simulation outcomes from MATLAB R2017a virtual environment showed that the installation of UPQC in the practical distribution feeder using the BFA method has improved the overall feeder voltage profile and reduce the active power loss by 9.78 and 26.21% respectively as compared to the network base-case scenario.