Optimal Distributed Generation Mix to Enhance Distribution Network Performance: A Deterministic Approach

Muhammad Ibrahim Bhatti, Frank Fischer, Matthias Kühnbach, Zohaib Hussain Leghari, Touqeer Ahmed Jumani (), Zeeshan Anjum Memon and Muhammad I. Masud ()
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Muhammad Ibrahim Bhatti: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Kempten University of Applied Science, 87435 Bavaria, Germany
Frank Fischer: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Kempten University of Applied Science, 87435 Bavaria, Germany
Matthias Kühnbach: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Kempten University of Applied Science, 87435 Bavaria, Germany
Zohaib Hussain Leghari: Department of Electrical Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan
Touqeer Ahmed Jumani: College of Engineering, A’Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman
Zeeshan Anjum Memon: Department of Electrical Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), SZAB Campus, Khairpur Mirs 66020, Sindh, Pakistan
Muhammad I. Masud: Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Business and Technology, Jeddah 21361, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-31

Abstract: Distribution systems’ vulnerability to power losses remains high, among other parts of the power system, due to the high currents and lower voltage ratio. Connecting distributed generation (DG) units can reduce power loss and improve the overall performance of the distribution networks if sized and located correctly. However, existing studies have usually assumed that DGs operate only at the unity power factor (i.e., type-I DGs) and ignored their dynamic capability to control reactive power, which is unrealistic when optimizing DG allocation in power distribution networks. In contrast, optimizing the allocation of DG units injecting reactive power (type-II), injecting both active and reactive powers (type-III), and injecting active power and dynamically adjusting (absorbing or injecting) reactive power (type-IV) is a more likely approach, which remains unexplored in the current literature. Additionally, various metaheuristic optimization techniques are employed in the literature to optimally allocate DGs in distribution networks. However, the no-free-lunch theorem emphasizes employing novel optimization approaches, as no method is best for all optimization problems. This study demonstrates the potential of optimally allocating different DG types simultaneously to improve power distribution network performance using a parameter-free Jaya optimization technique. The primary objective of optimally allocating DG units is minimizing the distribution network’s power losses. The simulation validation of this study is conducted using the IEEE 33-bus test system. The results revealed that optimally allocating a multiunit DG mix instead of a single DG type significantly reduces power losses. The highest reduction of 96.14% in active power loss was obtained by placing three type-II, two type-III, and three type-IV units simultaneously. In contrast, the minimum loss reduction of 87.26% was observed by jointly allocating one unit of the aforementioned three DG types.

Keywords: distributed generation; DG types; deterministic approach; optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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