Optimal Switching Sequence Using an Improved Metaheuristic Technique in a Distribution Network System with Fixed DG Units

Abstract

Integration of renewable DGs in distributed networks has become a critical issue in meeting the increasing electricity demand while considering economic and environmental impacts. DGs integrated into the electric distribution network assist with voltage improvement and power loss mitigation. However, it may also come with other technical challenges such as stability, reliability and power quality issues if poorly designed. This would lead to worsening the performance of the power system and the degradation of network components. Optimal network reconfiguration has proven to be very beneficial in effective reduction of power system losses when simultaneously employed with DG units. This research reports on the development and valuation of a proposed metaheuristic optimum network reconfiguration method for total real power loss decrease in radial distribution schemes with fixed DG units. The proposed method was designed in MATLAB and the IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system was employed in assessing its performance.