Analyzing the Effectiveness of Distributed Generation and Capacitor Banks in Distribution Systems Using Water Cycle Algorithms

Abstract

Minimizing power losses and enhancing voltage stability are critical objectives in power systems due to their impact on transmission line contingencies, financial losses for utilities, and the risk of power system blackouts. One effective strategy to improve power system efficiency is the optimal allocation of Distributed Generation (DGs) and capacitor banks (CBs), considering factors such as sizing and operating power factor. Power system operators and researchers are dedicated to addressing distribution system challenges related to power loss, energy loss, voltage profile, and voltage stability by optimizing the placement of DGs and CBs. This optimization not only ensures the security of the distribution system but also enables its operation in islanding mode. To enhance the performance of distribution systems, this thesis proposes the integration of DGs and CBs using a water cycle algorithm (WCA) for optimal placement and sizing. The proposed method aims to achieve technical and economic benefits by considering various objective functions, including power loss minimization, voltage deviation, total electrical energy cost, and improvement in the voltage stability index. The WCA algorithm mimics the flow of water from streams to rivers and from rivers to the sea. Through simulations conducted on three distribution systems, namely the IEEE 33-bus, 69-bus test systems, and the Sankhu feeder network, which is part of INPS, the performance of the proposed methodology is evaluated. The simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the WCA algorithm compared to other optimization algorithms in terms of flexibility and efficiency. The proposed approach exhibits notable improvements in economic benefits, making it a promising solution for optimizing DG and CB placement in distribution systems.