Self-adaptive firefly algorithm-based capacitor banks and distributed generation allocation in hybrid networks

Abstract

Power system deregulation has made significant changes to the power grid through various technologies, privatization of entities, and improved efficiency and reliability. This work mainly focuses on different combinations of distributed generation (DG) and capacitor banks (CBs) integration to cater to multiple technical, economic, environmental, and reliable concerns. A new optimal planning framework is proposed for optimally allocating the DG units and CBs to achieve multiple objectives. In this work, an augmented objective function is formulated by considering active power losses, voltage deviation, and voltage stability index objectives. This objective function is solved considering various equality and inequality constraints. This work proposes a novel approach for allocation of DGs and CBs in the radial distribution systems (RDSs) using an evolutionary-based self-adaptive firefly algorithm (SAFA). The effectiveness of the developed planning approach is demonstrated on IEEE 33 bus RDS in MATLAB software. The obtained results indicate that proposed planning approach resulted in reduced power losses, voltage deviations, and improved voltage stability.