Optimal Distributed Generation and capacitor placement in power distribution networks for power loss minimization With the Bat Algorithm

This paper presents a new combined technique for minimizing the power loss in distribution system by optimal Distributed Generation (DG) installation together with capacitor placement. Sensitivity analysis is used to identify the optimal candidate locations of DGs and capacitor placement. Installing the distributed generation sources and parallel capacitors can substantially improve the performance of the distribution systems and the problem of placement and finding the size of these sources is associated with equal and unequal constraints, in which a solution for minimizing the losses and costs in these systems is sought. In this paper, using the bat algorithm of placement and giving size, the capacitor and DG have been designed in such a way the most appropriate voltage profile in the buses are provided and the costs of system losses are considerably reduced. This study discusses a method for improving the voltage profile and minimizing the losses and costs. The solution is divided into two parts: (1) sensitivity factor of the losses is used for determining the optimal location of the capacitor and DG; and (2) a new algorithm for determining the size of the capacitor and DG for the target buses is used. Proposed method has been tested on IEEE 34-bus radial distribution system and the results obtained are encouraging.