Journal of Renewable Energy
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 832917, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/832917

Research Article

Optimal Location, Sizing, and Appropriate Technology Selection of Distributed Generators for Minimizing Power Loss Using Genetic Algorithm

T. R. Ayodele, A. S. O. Ogunjuyigbe, and O. O. Akinola

Power Energy Machine and Drives (PEMD) Research Group, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria

Received 10 June 2015; Accepted 2 September 2015

Academic Editor: Yongsheng Chen

Copyright © 2015 T. R. Ayodele et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Genetic algorithm (GA) is utilized to select most suitable Distributed Generator (DG) technology for optimal operation of power system as well as determine the optimal location and size of the DG to minimize power loss on the network. Three classes of DG technologies, synchronous generators, asynchronous generators, and induction generators, are considered and included as part of the variables for the optimization problem. IEEE 14-bus network is used to test the applicability of the algorithm. The result reveals that the developed algorithm is able to successfully select the most suitable DG technology and optimally size and place the DGs to minimize power loss in the network. Furthermore, optimum multiple placement of DG is considered to see the possible impact on power loss in the network. The result reveals that multiple placements can further reduce the power loss in the network.

1. Introduction

Recent researches have revealed that installation of Distributed Generators (DGs) in the power network has some advantages [1] which include the improvement in voltage profile [2] and reduction in the power loss on the power network [3–5]. The extent to which DGs reduce power system loss and improves voltage profile depends on the size and location of the DGs [6, 7]. The different modes through which DGs affect the reactive power in a network enable it to provide voltage support [8]. This support however depends on the deliberate placement and sizing of DG to improve the voltage profile of the network [9]. Hence, to maximize these benefits, it is crucial to find the optimal size of DGs and their appropriate locations in the network, as sitting of DG units in improper locations could jeopardizes the system operation [10].

Several models and methods have been suggested for the solution of the optimal sizing and location of DGs: selection of optimal location and sizing of multiple DGs have been performed by Kumar using Kalman Filter Algorithm [11]. It was similarly reported that the algorithm is effective for determining the size and location of DG. Moreover, it has the advantage in that it runs on fewer samples compared to other algorithms, thereby reducing the computational burden usually experienced during the optimization process. Rani and Davi [12] have optimally determined the location and the size of DG on IEEE 33-bus system using the exact loss formula approach. The result reveals that the method was able to achieve reduction in power losses and improved the voltage profile of the system. A novel algorithm which uses economic dispatch approach was developed by Kamel and Kermanshahi [13]. The algorithm was used to determine the optimum size and location of the DGs embedded in the distribution network. The algorithm also takes into account the power cost and the available rating of DGs if the DGs exist in a competitive market. The technique was applied to three test distribution systems with different sizes (6 buses, 18 buses, and 30 buses). The results indicated that if the DGs are located at their optimal locations and have optimal sizes the total losses in the distribution network will be reduced by nearly 85%.

The optimum size and location of capacitors and distributed generations (DGs) are determined simultaneously in a radial distribution network in [14]. The objective function includes power losses reduction and voltage profile improvement using ant colony algorithm. The proposed method was tested on IEEE 33-bus test system. The results show a considerable reduction in the total power loss in the system and improved voltage profiles of all the buses. Similarly, Allocating of DGs and optimal locations and size of Solid State Fault Current Limiters (SSFCLs) have been implemented by Shahriari and Samet [15] using genetic algorithm (GA). Optimal placement and sizing of multiple distributed generation in radial distribution feeders have been performed by Nagireddy et al. [16] using combined differential evaluation, HPSO method, with the objective of reducing the real power loss and improving the voltage profile of the network. Backtracking Search Algorithm has been used by Ishak et al. [17] for optimal DG placement and sizing for voltage stability improvement and power loss reduction. The applicability of the proposed method was verified using the IEEE 30-bus transmission network. It was revealed that the proposed method is effective in optimally sizing and locating DG in distribution systems.

Genetic algorithm (GA) has been proposed by Kotb et al. [18] for optimum sizing and placement of DGs in a distributed network. The total active and reactive power losses were minimized and voltage profile was improved. GA fitness function introduced includes the active power losses, reactive power losses, and the cumulative voltage deviation variables. It was argued that GA can be used as a better tool than traditional methods to enable the planners to choose the best size and location of DGs. It was also revealed that the addition of DG to the distribution system reduces the active and reactive power loss and improves the system voltage. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been proposed by researchers [19] for optimal allocation and sizing of DGs for loss reduction. Similarly, a Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm was used to find the optimal number, size, and location of DG units in the radial distribution systems in order to minimize the real power losses and reduce the voltage deviation in [20]. The proposed method was tested on standard IEEE 33-bus test system and it was reported that by installing DGs, the total power loss of the system was reduced and the system’s voltage profile also improved. A Pareto-based Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGAII) was proposed in [21] to determine locations and sizes of specified number of DG units within the primary distribution system. In their work, three objective functions were considered as the indices of the system performance: average Load Voltage Deviation (LVD), minimization of the system real power loss, and minimization of the annualized investment costs of DG. A fuzzy decision making analysis was used to obtain the final trade-off optimal solution. The proposed methodology was tested on modified IEEE 33-bus radial system. The test results indicate that NSGA-II is a viable planning tool for practical DG placement and useful contribution of DG in improving the steady state system performance of the distribution system by the optimal allocating, setting, and sizing multitype DG.

Several algorithms have been proposed to optimize the size and the placement of DGs in a network as reviewed in the aforementioned studies. However, none considered or reported how the type of DG technologies affects the optimization problem. Different DG technologies have different reactive power characteristics which can have different effect on the power loss and voltage profile of a power system [22]. It is therefore intuitive to think that selection of appropriate DG technology alongside the optimal placement and sizing of the DG may further reduce the loss experienced in a network. This paper therefore includes DG technology as part of the optimization objective function in addition to its size and location using genetic algorithm.

2. System under Study

The network used to test the algorithm was the IEEE 14-bus test network as depicted in Figure 1. The data for the network were obtained from [23]. The power flow was solved using the load-flow function of Matlab based Power System Toolbox (PST) [24].

Figure 1: IEEE 14-bus test network.

The network consists of 20 lines, 14 buses, 2 generators, 3 synchronous compensators, 10 load points, a two-winding transformer, and a three-winding transformer. The lines and the transformers were modeled using their pi-equivalent circuits while the generators and synchronous compensators were modeled using their steady state real and reactive powers as well as their reactive power generation limits. The loads were modeled using steady state values of the real and reactive power they consume.

3. Modelling of DG Technologies

In this paper, the DGs are modelled based on their electrical output. Three classes of DG technologies were used in the simulation and are classified as asynchronous, synchronous, and induction generator based DGs [22]. Examples of asynchronous generator based DG technologies are microturbines, fuel cells, and solar PV. They require power electronic interfaces to process the power they generate into a grid compatible one. Induction generator based DG technology includes some types of wind turbine generators (squirrel cage induction generator) that require reactive power to generate real power while synchronous generators have the capability to inject or consume reactive power. Examples of synchronous DGs include reciprocating engines, combustion turbines, and small hydroturbines. The DGs were connected to the network by appropriately modifying the bus data of the network. The data at the bus to which the DG is connected is modified using the real and reactive power values obtained from the models. The modified bus data was then used to obtain the real power loss and bus voltages of the network.

3.1. Asynchronous Generators Model

Asynchronous generators were modelled as negative loads operating at a constant power factor. Given the real power generated by the asynchronous generator based DG to be , then the reactive power () generated by the DG can be written as

where is the power factor at which the DG is operating. The modelling of asynchronous generators as negative loads at load buses (PQ Buses) implies that the real and reactive power generated by the DG are fixed; however, the voltage at the bus can vary within specified limits.

3.2. Induction Generators Modelling

Induction generator based DGs are also modelled as negative loads at PQ buses; however, the induction generators require reactive power support and this is usually provided by the grid and/or capacitor banks connected at the generator’s bus [25]. The reactive power () required for magnetization of induction generator based DG given the generated real power can be approximated as

where is bus voltage, is the magnetizing reactance, is the reactance of the capacitor bank, is the sum of the rotor and stator reactance, and is the sum of the stator and rotor leakage reactance.

3.3. Synchronous Generator’s Model

Synchronous generator based model has the ability to maintain their terminal voltage by varying the reactive power they generate. Given that is the real power of the DG and the minimum power factor at which the DG is to operate is , then the reactive power, , with an upper bound can be determined as

and the lower bound is given by

In view of the above, it is indicated that the generator will operate between the upper and lower limit of the reactive power; that is,

All the synchronous generators were modelled as PV buses. As a consequence, the terminal voltage is held constant and the reactive power is allowed to vary within the specified limits of the DG to maintain terminal voltage.

3.4. Determination of DG Size

The optimum sizes of DGs are determined based on the penetration level (PL) of the DG into the network. In this paper, PL is defined as the percentage of the real power demand of the load (MW) that the DGs can supply without jeopardizing the network operation [26]. This is mathematically determined using

where is the penetration level, is real power generated by DGs, that is, (, , depending on the technology), and is the real power demand by the load in the network.

3.5. Development of Objective Function for Minimization of Power Loss

The objective function is to minimize the total loss on the network. Given a transmission line between two buses and , the power flow through the line from bus to bus is and from bus to bus is . The power loss in the line can be determined as

where (the current) and (the voltage at the corresponding bus) are obtained from the power flow solution of the network and is complex power flow with its real part corresponding to the real power loss on the line and the imaginary part corresponding to the reactive power loss on the line.

If there are transmission lines in the network, the total loss in the network can be calculated as

where represents the th transmission line. The objective function therefore is to minimize subject to power flow constraints.

4. Application of Genetic Algorithm to the Optimization Problem

Different methods have been proposed to optimally site and locate DGs while considering different limitations, scenarios, and objectives. Three broad categories of methods are usually adopted and have been identified to be analytical methods [27], numerical approach [28], and heuristic techniques [29]. GA is one of such heuristic algorithms [28]. The GA operates by creating random solutions to the optimization problem (OP) to form a population of individuals. These individuals are then sorted based on the value they return on evaluation using the objective function. The flow chart for the GA algorithm is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Genetic algorithm flow chart.

For optimal sizing and placement of the DGs for minimum power loss, the following are derived.

4.1. Initial Population

An individual solution is defined as where , , , and is the highest location index; that is, assuming the locations considered for DG placement are numbered successively from 1, is the index number of the last bus. represents asynchronous generator based DG, represents synchronous generator based DG, and represents induction generator based DG.

Let be the number of individuals in a population matrix :

The individual is :

4.2. Selection

Let and be two selected individuals from with and as the value returned by the objective function, , when and are its arguments. If is the set of all parents that have a chance at reproduction, then

4.3. Reproduction

Given a set of possible parents, let and be two selected parents, and

Let be a randomly selected crossover point such that and let and be the two crossover children from and :

4.4. Mutation

Given a population , a mutant child is obtained by selecting a random individual from . One of the genes (variables) of is randomly selected and changed. Let denote the index of the randomly selected gene.

 If , then . If , then . If , then .

5. Simulation Results and Discussion

To achieve the objective function, Newton Raphson algorithm was utilized with the aid of Power System Toolbox (PST) load-flow function to obtain the power flow solution and the losses in the network. Matlab code was written to add the DG types to the network by suitably modifying the network bus data. Asynchronous generator based DGs were simulated to operate at a power factor of 1.0 while the synchronous generator based DGs were allowed to operate with a reactive power range between and . The parameters of the induction generator utilized in this paper are depicted in Table 3.

After running the algorithm, the returned optimal solution () was given as to minimize the real power losses in the network. The physical meaning of this is that a 71% penetration level of synchronous generator based DG technology operating at bus 4 will result in the best reduction in losses as depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Optimal location of the DG in the IEEE 14-bus test network.

To verify the optimality of the solution, three tests were performed. Test 1 was done to confirm that bus 4 is the optimal location. Test 2 was to confirm that synchronous generator based DGs produce the least loss in the network and Test 3 was done to confirm that the optimal penetration level is 71%.

5.1. Convergence Characteristics

Figure 4 depicts the best and mean cost obtained with successive generations using a population size of 45 and a crossover fraction of 0.8. From the figure it could be observed that the mean cost decreases rapidly in the first few generations. However, as the number of generations increases the mean cost starts to oscillate. This is largely due to the random variables introduced by mutation. In this particular run of the algorithm, the best cost converges after 14 generations.

Figure 4: Convergence characteristics.

5.2. Test 1: Confirmation of Optimum Location

To achieve this, synchronous generator based DG model was used and the penetration level was varied between 50 and 90% at all the PQ buses. The results are presented in Figure 5. The figure reveals that bus 4 has the least power loss at all the penetration levels.

Figure 5: Loss at all the PQ buses for DG placement.

5.3. Test 2: Confirmation of the Most Appropriate DG Technology

To determine which type of DG results in the minimum loss, the three DG models were placed at bus 4 and the amount of power they produced was increased by varying the penetration from 50 to 90%. The power losses incurred as a result of the connection of each generator type were calculated for different penetration level and the result is depicted in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Loss obtainable from using different technologies.

It is observed from the figure that the losses when synchronous and induction generators used are practically the same up to penetration level of 71%. However, as penetration levels increase, the power loss when synchronous generator technologies are used are lower, compared to the induction or asynchronous generator based DGs which are used. Asynchronous generators do not offer as much loss reduction as synchronous generator or induction generator based DGs. On the overall, synchronous generator technology offer the best reduction in network losses at bus 4.

5.4. Test 3: Confirmation of DG Penetration Level (Size)

This scenario involved using a synchronous generator based DG at bus 4 to find the penetration level at which loss is minimum. The result is shown in Figure 7. It can be seen that the minimum loss is obtained at the penetration levels of about 71% confirming the size of the DG in terms of penetration level.

Figure 7: Loss as penetration level varies at bus 4 with a synchronous generator based DG.

The three tests confirm that the location, size, and type of DG required to obtain the least loss is bus 4 with a synchronous generator based DG operating at a penetration level of 71%.

5.5. Multiple DG Location for Power Loss Reduction

To check for further reduction in losses if multiple DGs are installed in the network, the bus data of the network was modified to include the previous solution and then inputted into the GA algorithm to determine another location, penetration level, and DG type that will result in further loss reduction. The result is presented in Figure 8. From the figure, it is observed that placing the DG at additional buses (multiple DGs) yielded a further reduction in the loss. Bus number 4 + 14 as labelled in Figure 8 indicates that DG is located at buses 4 and 14 while 4 + 14 + 13 indicates that the DG is located at buses 4, 14, and 13.

Figure 8: Minimum loss obtainable with multiple DG placements.

The locations of the multiple DGs on the network for loss reduction are depicted in Figure 9. These four locations (in group) represent the possible optimal points for the placement of DGs. Placement at additional bus(es) did not improve the line losses beyond those displayed in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Multiple DG placements in IEEE 14-bus network.

The penetration level and the technology type to obtain further reduce losses in the network at each of the placement is depicted in Table 1.

Table 1: Placement order of the DGs to achieve reduction in losses.

Placement
Penetration level (%)
Technology type

Bus 4
71
Synchronous

Bus 14
7
Synchronous

Bus 13
4
Asynchronous

Bus 12
1
Synchronous

Table 2 presents the percentage loss reduction when multiple DGs are placed in the network. When DG is placed only on bus 4, the percentage loss reduction is 73.39%. When the number of placements of DG is increased (i.e., buses 4 and 14), an improved loss reduction of 75.74% is achieved. However, the reduction gained with the increase in the number of DG locations becomes smaller indicating that at certain number of placements, a further increase in the number of placements will not improve the line loss.

Table 2: Percentage loss reduction in the network with multiple placements.

Placement of DG at the buses
Loss reduction (%)

4
73.39

4 + 14
75.74

4 + 14 + 13
75.91

4 + 14 + 13 + 12
75.98

Table 3: Induction generator parameters.

Parameter
Value

Stator reactance
0.01 p.u.

Rotor reactance
0.01 p.u.

Magnetizing reactance
3.0 p.u.

6. Conclusion

Most algorithms proposed in the literature to solve optimal DG placement problems consider only location and size as the variables of optimization in minimizing the power loss in a network. However, DG technology also plays an important role in minimizing the loss on the network. This paper has developed a genetic algorithm having DG technology as a third variable in addition to size and location to minimize loss on the power system. The developed algorithm successfully optimized the location and size (penetration level) of the DG and determines the appropriate DG technology. It was further shown that the algorithm was able to optimally locate and size more DGs to further reduce losses on the network.

Appendix

See Table 3.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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