Active power loss reduction for optimal photovoltaic distributed generators allocation in hybrid medium-voltage AC-DC electrical distribution system

Abstract

Due to improvements in PV technology, electrical distribution networks are increasingly integrating PV-based distributed generation (PVDG) systems to reduce reliance on a single power source and the greenhouse gas emissions produced by conventional power plants. However, reverse power flow created by high power output from intermittent PVDG can increase system power losses and distort the voltage profile. Proper positioning and size are required to inject a PVDG during peak hours. The principal contribution of this paper is the application of a new efficient and reliable algorithm known as the equilibrium optimizer algorithm (EOA) to solve the optimal allocation of multiple PVDG units in hybrid medium-voltage AC-DC distribution networks. Comparing the EOA technique to the light spectrum optimizer (LSO), the energy valley optimizer (EVO), and the Archimedes optimization algorithm (AOA), the convergence characteristics and results show that the EOA approach was the quickest and best strategy to obtain the best solutions. The results from the simulation demonstrate that higher performance in terms of reducing power loss and improving voltage profile can be obtained by achieving the ideal size and positioning of the PVDG sources via an optimum energy management strategy.