Optimization of Distributed Generation Capacity for Line Loss Reduction and Voltage

The Distributed Generation (DG) have created a challenge and an opportunity for developing various novel technologies in power generation. The proposed work discusses the primary factors that have lead to an increasing interest in DG. DG reduces line losses, increases system voltage profile and hence improves power quality. The proposed work finds out the optimal value of the DG capacity to be connected to the existing system using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) thereby maximizing the power quality. Benefits of employing DG are analysed using Voltage Profile Improvement Index (VPII) and Line Loss Reduction Index (LLRI). The line voltage stability index obtained by performing a conventional Newton-Raphson load flow solution calculates accurately the proximity of the operating point to the voltage collapse point and hence validates the significance of the proposed method. The calculated Line Voltage Stability index using the proposed PSO based method exactly finds out the critical lines as that of the conventional method. The optimum value of the DG obtained increases the maximum loadability of the system. The proposed method is tested on a standard IEEE-30 bus system and the results of the simulation carried out using MATLAB 7.0 are found to be encouraging. The method has a potential to be a tool for identifying the best location and rating a DG to be installed for improving power quality in an electrical power system.