Optimal Network Reconfiguration and Distributed Generation Integration for Power Loss Minimization and Voltage Profile Enhancement in Radial Distribution System

Abstract

Network Reconfiguration with Distributed Generation (DG) integration can significantly reduce power loss and improve the system voltage. This thesis explores the approach for reduction in power loss and improvement in system voltage through a combination of network reconfiguration and DG installation in radial distribution systems. Initially, the approach was verified in a typical 33 and 69 Test Bus system in MATLAB using the Backward/Forward Propagation Load Flow approach. Voltage Stability Index (VSI) technique has been applied to determine the most sensitive bus to locate for DG integration. Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm was used to determine the optimal solution. Six scenarios for different combinations of system reconfiguration and DG installation were analyzed by using NEA 63-Bus real distribution network of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kirtipur Distribution Center. The simulated results were compared with the base case scenario and were validated with results from the previous studies for DGs injecting active power only. Among them, Scenario VI (simultaneous network reconfiguration and DG integration) gave the best result for power loss reduction and voltage profile improvement. The results obtained in this study show that, for DGs generating active power only, the percentage reduction in active or real power has been improved by 72.19%, 83.52%, and 57.69% for the IEEE 33, IEEE 69, and NEA 63-Bus system respectively. Similarly, for DGs generating both real and reactive power, the power loss has been reduced by 91.61%, 96.53%, and 90.54% for the IEEE 33,