Optimal Placement and Sizing of Inverter-Based Distributed Generation Units and Shunt Capacitors in Distorted Distribution Systems Using a Hybrid Phasor Particle Swarm Optimization and Gravitational Search Algorithm

In this paper, a novel hybrid population-based meta-heuristic algorithm, called the hybrid Phasor Particle Swarm Optimization and Gravitational Search Algorithm (PPSOGSA), is proposed to solve the problem of optimal placement and sizing of inverter-based distributed generation (DG) units and shunt capacitors in radial distribution systems with linear and non-linear loads. The objective of the problem is reduction of active power losses considering constraints of the fundamental frequency active and reactive power balance, RMS voltage, and total harmonic distortion of voltage (THDV) at each bus of the network, as well as the branch flow constraints. The performance of the PPSOGSA-based approach is evaluated on the standard IEEE 33- and 69-bus test systems under sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal operating conditions. Compared to the original PPSO and GSA and other algorithms commonly used in the optimal sitting and sizing problem of DG units and shunt capacitors, it is found that the proposed algorithm has yielded better results.