A bio-geography-based algorithm for optimal siting and sizing of distributed generators with an effective power factor model

In this paper, a bio-geography-based optimization techniqueis proposed for optimal sizing and placement of multiple distributed generators to reduce system loss and to improve system voltage profiles in electric distribution systems. Distributed generation paves the way for installing generating sources in the vicinity of the loads, for improving the power factor of the system, and thereby significantly reducing total system losses. An effective power factor model is proposed to pre-set the power factor of each distributed generator placed at various locations in a distribution system. The bio-geography optimization algorithm is enhanced with a differential learning scheme to deal with the problems of high dimensionality and complex constraints. A sensitivity factor approach is presented to reduce the search space for the placement of distributed generators in the system. Numerical simulations are performed on the IEEE 33-bus and IEEE 69-bus systems and the results of the proposed method are compared with other methods reported in the literature. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.