Optimal placement and sizing of DSTATCOM using firefly algorithm in the distribution system

Abstract

The electric power distribution system must be intended to operate and deliver acceptable level of electrical energy to consumers. Distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) is a custom power device implemented in the distribution system to improve the power quality. This paper presents the optimal size and placement of DSTATCOM in the distribution system by using firefly algorithm (FA). Minimisation of power loss and minimisation of installation cost of DSTATCOM are considered as the objective function (OF), where the voltage and current limits of the buses are chosen as the optimisation constraints. The performance of the proposed methodology using FA is demonstrated on IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus radial distribution systems using MATLAB software. Backward/forward sweep algorithm is used for load flow analysis of radial distribution system. The efficacy of the proposed methodology using FA is compared with the results obtained by using immune algorithm (IA).