Optimization Framework to Determine Optimal Location and Sizing of Photovoltaic Energy Sources in Electric Grids

The purpose of this paper is presentation of a methodology for determining optimal location and size of Photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy sources for integration to power systems. The proposed methodology is based on applying Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) in determining optimal location and size of PV energy sources by minimizing real power loss as the objective (cost) function and voltage magnitude limits, eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix, and transmission line and transformer overloads as the optimization constraints. This is scalable for inclusion of reactive power losses and fuel costs in the objective function and power system security measures as constraints. Optimal size and location of PV energy sources is determined by implementing the proposed framework for studying real size power systems and is used in simulating test systems in their steady state and dynamic mode of operation. The proposed methodology is used to simulate the IEEE 14 and 39 bus systems by using MatLab, PowerWorld, and PSS/E as simulation tools.