Distributed Optimal Placement Generators in a Medium Voltage Redial Feeder

Abstract

Distributed generation (DG) is an important issue for distribution networks for power loss improvement. However, the location and size of generators remain a challenge for existing techniques. This work investigates the optimal placement of a distributed generator on a medium voltage radial feeder. Simulated annealing optimisation is used to find an optimal bus of connecting a distributed generator variable-spider. The optimisation technique is then applied to a power flow Matlab program that incorporates the Newton–Raphson method. DigSilent PowerFactory simulations software is used to validate the results that are obtained from the Matlab program. The results indicate that the optimal bus for a 14-bus radial feeder loaded at 5 MVA while using a 1.5 MW DG is bus 11. This is because connecting the distributed generator at bus 11 resulted in maximum loss reduction on the feeder. The Matlab tool proposed in this study can be used to find the optimal bus where a distributed generator can be connected to a medium voltage radial feeder, thereby improving power quality and fulfilling load demand with minimal size to make the system economical.

Keywords

• energy resources
• renewable energy technologies
• optimisation methods
• a distributed generator (DG)
• radial feeder
• simulated annealing