An efficient load flow solution for distribution system with addition of distributed generation using improved harmony search algorithms

Abstract

Abstract The distribution system analysis is very important to know the system condition at any given point of time. This distribution power flow plays an important role. Many power flow techniques have been proposed in the past for distribution power flow (DPF). The implicit Z-bus Gauss–Seidel (GS) method is good when dispersed generations are modelled as PQ nodes in the distribution system but, when dispersed generations are modelled as PV nodes, it leads to divergence problems. In a Newton-like method, a slight change in the execution of the bus-type switching logic leads to an unlike convergence characteristic. Though backward/forward (BW/FW) method is effective and efficient, it slows down under heavy-load condition. Now, with the addition of distributed generation (wind/solar, etc.) at the distribution level, the classical configuration of the distribution system is also changed. This poses a need for more robust and efficient technique. This paper investigates the application of a new algorithm known as improved harmony search (IHS) for DPF. The IHS can determine multiple power flow solutions which fix the limitations of other methods while determining a solution for the highly stressed condition. The results for a standard test system are taken with IHS, Newton–Raphson (NR) and BW/FW method without and with the impact of the wind energy system, to show the potential of the proposed algorithm.

Keywords

• Backward/forward method
• Improved harmony search algorithm
• Newton–Raphson method
• Power flow problem
• Wind generation