Optimal load curtailment for DG integrated islanded power system utilizing backtracking search algorithm

The aim of this study is to develop an optimal load shedding scheme in order to maintain system stability and minimize amount of loads to shed when the power system network experiences unintentional islanding. In order to handle this optimization issue, a constrain of multi-objective function that consider linear static Voltage Stability Margin (VSM) and amount of load (active and reactive) curtailment was formulated. Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA) was proposed in this study as an optimization tool for determining optimum mount of load curtailment based on proposed objective function. The performance of proposed load shedding scheme was evaluated and conducted based on IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system integrated with four units DG using MATLAB® software. After optimization process, the power mismatch of active and reactive load was curtailed from 33-bus system without cutting substantial loads in the system. Moreover, the voltage profile for each bus are improved and complies with IEEE Standard 18-2002. The obtained findings proved that the proposed load shedding scheme based BSA is more effective in obtaining amount of optimal of loads to be shed compared to optimization technique of Genetic Algorithm (GA).