Reliable and Efficient Operation of Distribution Network by Connecting Solar Distributed Generation
Reliable and Efficient Operation of Distribution Network by Connecting Solar Distributed Generation
Corresponding Author:
Simarla Vijender Reddy
Department of Electrical Engineering, University College of Engineering, Osmania University
Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
Email: [email protected]
1. INTRODUCTION
Electrical power demand is increasing day by day to meet the escalating electrical power usage. The
majority of electricity sources currently are conventional. The availability of conventional energy sources is
dwindling by the day. Non-conventional energy sources, such as wind and solar, are plentiful. Renewable
energy sources are the best option for meeting power demand. The optimal allocation problems are solved
using optimization techniques such as the genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant
colony search algorithm (ACSA), slime mould algorithm (SMA), and multi-objective slime mould algorithm
(MOSMA).
Almabsout et al. [1] addresses controlling active and reactive power in distribution networks has a
significant impact on their performance. The most common strategies for improving distribution system
performance are the connection of distributed generation (DG) and shunt capacitors (SCs). The reactive
power optimization algorithm for distribution network (DN) with solar (PV) generation is provided in [2].
The penetration of renewable distributed generation (RDG) into traditional distribution systems (TDSs) is
examined in [3] and has been found to address many of its flaws and shortcomings. According to [4],
installing local micro-level power generating sources such as fuel cells, micro turbines, and energy storage
devices is a current trend that aids in the intermittent impacts of renewable energy sources while making
micro grids less reliant on the main grid.
According to [5], the significant level of penetration of such renewable energy sources has an effect
on the dynamic performance of power systems. The regulations for wind power plants are to protect the
boundaries that maintain the reliable operation of the power system. The stochastic optimal power flow
(OPF) problem is addressed in [6] by a robust and effective method inspired by the slime mould. As per [7],
[8], the installation of a DG at a grid node minimizes real power losses in the network. The slime mould
optimization approach is used to manage the reactive power (Volt/VAr) of smart inverters for PVs in order to
optimize PVHC in DN [9]. Premkumar et al. [10] covers the use of MOSMA in the industry to solve multi-
objective optimization problems. Ouyang et al. [11] proposed the theory and method of active and reactive
power coordinated control before wind speed changes on the basis of model predictive control theory.
According to [12], it is a slow occurrence that can be handled utilizing slow manual reserves. If these
reserves must be obtained from nearby regions, they should be kept at a sufficient reserve capacity in the AC
tie-lines. According to [13], the frequency regulation strategy that merely responds to traditional power is
progressively reduced as wind power becomes more integrated into the electric system.
Singh et al. [14] presents a multimode single-stage solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation system
(SPEGS) interfaced to a distribution feeder using a reliable DS-based control technique that has been created for
enhancing power quality. Kim and Lee [15] presents a two-stage probabilistic forecasting system for solar
power that makes use of observations of solar irradiation taken at various sites. A two-stage robust optimal
inverter dispatch model has been presented to manage the uncertainties of PV generation in active distribution
networks [16], [17]. By combining solar and wind turbines in addition to the current grid, it is possible to
provide consumers with an uninterrupted power supply at a low cost [18]. Ghiassi-Farrokhfal et al. [19]
examined the challenge of allocating a capital budget to solar panels stored in the context of a large-scale
solar farm engaging in an energy market in order to optimize predicted revenue.
Chang et al. [20] presents an improved backward/forward sweep methodology for the three-phase
load-flow analysis of radial distribution systems. A strategy for solving the distributed power flow problem
that is adaptive and relies on compensation. This approach was examined under a variety of scenarios,
including load imbalance, an abrupt increase in 1-phase loads, the degree of meshing in the loops, and the
number of generating nodes. It is quick, reliable, and keeps the required accuracy [21], [22]. A linear three-
phase power flow model for a DN is covered in [23], [24].
The voltage at any node for sending end ‘M’ and receiving end ‘N’ is given by (1).
𝑃𝑁𝑒𝑓𝑓 ×𝑅𝑀,𝑁 + 𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑓𝑓 ×𝑋𝑀,𝑁 𝑄𝑁𝑒𝑓𝑓 ×𝑅𝑀,𝑁 − 𝑃𝑁𝑒𝑓𝑓 ×𝑋𝑀,𝑁
𝑉𝑁 = 𝑉𝑁−1 − ( )+𝑗( ) (1)
𝑉𝑁−1 𝑉𝑁−1
Int J Appl Power Eng, Vol. 12, No. 1, March 2023: 83-89
Int J Appl Power Eng ISSN: 2252-8792 85
Where PNeff and QNeff are active and reactive powers at ‘N’ nodes respectively. The power loss of ‘N’ buses
DN is shown in (2).
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = ∑𝑁 2
𝑘=2 𝐼𝑘 × 𝑅𝑘−1,𝑘
𝑆 2
Where ’k’ represents the kth node of DN and 𝐼𝑘2 = ( 𝑘 ) .
𝑉𝑘
𝑆 2
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = ∑𝑁 𝑘
𝑘=2 ( ) × 𝑅𝑘−1,𝑘 (2)
𝑉𝑘
The IEEE 85-bus radial DN is shown in Figure 2. The line impedances and node powers are given in [26].
The total load power of DN is 3640 kVA at a power factor of 0.8 lag.
“W” represents the smell index, “VA” is the vibration limit, and the lower and upper limits of the
search area are represented by “L” and “U”. The ‘rand’ and “ra” are represented as random values. The slime
mould has been represented as a DG location and size in this slime mould algorithm.
MOSMA is a variant of SMA that incorporates non-dominated sorting and crowding distance [6]. In
this paper, the multi-objective slime mould method is used to focus on power loss minimization and reduce
voltage deviation, whereas the slime mould algorithm is used to focus on single objectives such as power loss
minimization. Power loss reduction and voltage deviation are calculated using (4) and (5), respectively.
𝑆𝑘 −𝑆𝐺𝐾) 2
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = ∑𝑛𝑘=2 ( ) × 𝑅𝑘−1,𝑘 (4)
𝑉𝑘
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑔 = ∑𝑁
𝑖=2 ⎹⎸𝑉𝑅𝐸𝐹 − 𝑉𝑖 ⎹ (5)
Int J Appl Power Eng, Vol. 12, No. 1, March 2023: 83-89
Int J Appl Power Eng ISSN: 2252-8792 87
The output power of solar DGs diminishes dramatically under cloudy conditions. Cloudy conditions
in one or two locations cause a significant drop in solar DG power, which has an effect on DN voltages. Due
to cloudy conditions, the DG 4 and DG 5 powers have been reduced by 50% and are connected to 82 and 62
buses, respectively, as shown in Table 2. The corresponding voltages of 85 buses are shown in Figure 5.
Even though the power of two DGs has been reduced by 50% owing to cloudy weather, the voltages are
within the boundary limitations. The power losses of DN with variable power sources of solar DGs are
depicted in Figure 6.
The voltages in the distribution network change as the supply power or the load varies. The voltages
of 85 buses are evaluated with load changes when solar DGs generate maximum power, as shown in Table 2.
Figure 7 shows the voltages of 85 buses with load variations of 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125%, all of which are
within the boundary limits except for the load change of 125%. The lowest voltage at 125% load is 0.932 per
unit, making the power supply for the loads unreliable. Figure 8 shows the power losses with varying loads,
with the lowest losses occurring at 50% load.
Figure 6. power losses at 85 buses with variable power supply of solar DGs
6. CONCLUSION
Solar DGs are placed and sized optimally in 85 buses DN using SMA and MOSMA. The MOSMA
approach performed better than others in terms of the two objectives, which are voltage improvement and
power loss reduction, than others. The DN has been reliable even when the power of one or two solar DGs
has been reduced to 50% of maximum power, but the DN has been unreliable when the power of all solar
DGs has dropped to 75% of maximum power. When solar DGs are connected, voltages decrease as the load
increases. At 125% of full load, power losses are larger and voltages are felt below the boundary limits,
making the distribution network unreliable.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS
Mane Manjula completed her B.E in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from
Osmania University in the year 1995. She joined the Department of Electrical Engineering,
University College of Engineering, Osmania University in 1997 as a lecturer. Completed her
Ph.D. in the year January 2014. She is having 24 years of teaching experience in the field of
Electrical Engineering. She is presently working as Professor in the Department. She can be
contacted at email: [email protected].