Simultaneous optimisation of photovoltaic hosting capacity and energy loss of radial distribution networks with open unified power quality conditioner allocation

Abstract

This study presents a multi-objective planning approach to optimally place open unified power quality conditioner (UPQC-O) by simultaneously optimising the photovoltaic (PV) hosting capacity (PVHC) and energy loss of distribution networks. The modelling of UPQC-O consisting of a series and a shunt inverter is carried out so as to place in distribution networks. The Pareto-dominance-based approach is used to simultaneously optimise the objective functions to determine the optimal PV generation capacity in each bus and the locations of the inverters of UPQC-O. The limits on bus voltage magnitude, line current flow, maximum PV generation capacity in each bus, and the percentage of voltage sag mitigated load are considered to be the operational constraints in this planning problem. The solution strategy used is the multi-objective particle swarm optimisation. The approach provides the Pareto-approximation set consisting of a number of trade-off solutions in view of PVHC and energy loss. A utility can choose a solution for implementation depending on its desired PVHC and/or energy loss level. The results show that the PV deployment in distribution networks reduces the energy loss. However, the amount of energy loss reduction diminishes with higher and higher values of PV capacity integration.