The Balancing of Secondary Distribution Feeders by Two Techniques GWO and PSO Applied in Baghdad, Comparative Study

Abstract

The distribution network considered the more complex portion of the electrical power system as there is much machinery, and many loads are fed. The load diversity and variety that connected to the distribution networks caused severe problems like load unbalancing, sag, and voltage swell that can violate the system stability. The load balancing in the secondary low voltage distribution networks was regarded as one of the ongoing and stubborn issues studied in this article. In this article, a GWO meta-heuristic algorithm, which used for the first time to solve the imbalance on the secondary transformers, and the outcomes of the GWO compared to the PSO algorithm. The results proved it could resolve the balancing problem based on real data collected from the smart meters installed in two regions in Baghdad. Load balancing accomplished when the same current flows through the three-phase conductors that supplied a particular region in the distribution network. Current equality has a strong effect on the distribution network, ranging from reducing the losses to transformer safety. The phase swapping appeared as a direct and straightforward way of achieving load balance. The results showed that in obtaining balance with a lower number of swaps, the GWO algorithm was better. If solar renewable energy sources penetrated the distribution network, the algorithms could achieve an accepted balancing without requiring any swaps in the home phases.