Optimal placement of distributed generation in electric distribution networks

Abstract

This paper proposes a simple numerical method to determine the optimal location of a distributed generation (DG) within the distribution network. The main objective of this work is to find the optimal number, the type, the size and the bus location of DG that would enhance the voltage levels and reduce the power losses of the distribution network. Initially, load flow, using Newton Raphson Method, was carried out without DG to identify the weak busses on the distribution network, then, the load flow simulation was carried out with the DG units being connected on the identified weak busses to evaluated the impact of the DG units on the voltage profile and power losses. The test case IEEE 30 bus system is modeled using standard load flow software. Simulation results with the DG units show improvement in terms of voltage profile enhancement and power losses reduction. Test results indicate that the load flow studies yield positive impact on the 30-bus distribution systems. The maximum power losses reduction was as high as 15.30% and the bus voltage improvement reached 8.72 % for optimally placed single DG and 13.89% for 4 DG units.