Optimal DGs allocation in distribution networks using modified flower pollination algorithm

Abstract

In the last decade, the integration of distributed generators (DGs) in radial distribution systems has reached high penetration levels. Impacts of DGs on the active power loss and system voltage profile has become significant. Optimization algorithms are tools which are used to optimally find the site and size of DGs within specific limits and constraints. This paper presents an optimization algorithm that employs modified flower pollination algorithm (MFPA) to determine the optimal DGs allocation in order to minimize the system power losses. MFPA is a new metaheuristic population-based optimization algorithm, and has few tuning parameters. Therefore, the updating of these tuning parameters towards the most effective values has a higher reliability of success than in other competing metaheuristic methods. The performance of the proposed MFPA is investigated on three standard test systems; IEEE 33-bus, IEEE 69-bus and IEEE 136-bus. The results show that the effectiveness and validity of MFPA in determining the optimal allocation of DER units with minimum power losses. The superiority of the proposed MFPA is evaluated by comparing it with other metaheuristic optimization algorithms such as the discrete artificial bee colony algorithm (DABC) and standard flower pollination algorithm (FPA).