Optimal Sizing and Sitting of Photovoltaic Distributed Generation Units Using PSO Algorithm

This paper proposes a PSO optimization algorithm for specifying the most appropriate photovoltaic-based distributed generation size and location in power grids. The issue has been investigated in four seasons of the year and two operation modes (PV and PQ) on IEEE 96-bus distribution systems. Given the network's requirement for active and reactive power compensators, renewable sources can improve power quality on the grid through active and reactive power control. Results indicate that the proposed method improves the voltage profile and reduces losses in the electrical distribution system. The voltage profile improvement in the PQ operation mode is more significant than in the PV operation mode; furthermore, the proposed algorithm in the PQ operation mode has significantly reduced both active and reactive losses in all four seasons compared to the PV operation mode since, in the PQ operation, the reactive power required is also injected into the network in addition to the active power. Finally, despite the amount of consumer PV and PQ demand being different in the year's four seasons, the proposed PSO algorithm can choose the most suitable location and sizing of Photovoltaic-based DGs in Electric power distribution.