An improved particle swarm optimisation algorithm for optimum placement and sizing of biogas-fuelled distributed generators for seasonal loads in a radial distribution network

Abstract

Optimal allocation is critical for effective planning and operation of grid connected distributed generator(s) (DGs) subject to efficient optimisation approach(es). In this paper, an improved particle swarm optimisation (IPSO) algorithm based on weighted randomised acceleration coefficients and adaptive inertia weight for dynamic movement of the particles towards an optimal solution is proposed. The technique is expected to determine optimal placement, sizing and power factor of biogas-fuelled distributed generators (B-DGs such as internal combustion engine (ICE) and fuel cells (FC)) in a radial distribution network. The proposed IPSO is applied to simultaneously optimise three technical objectives namely total active power loss (TAPL), voltage deviation (VD) and voltage stability index (VSI) considering load growth and seasonal voltage dependence. The proposed IPSO is validated using an IEEE 33 bus radial distribution network to evaluate its effectiveness through various combinations of B-DGs for different scenarios and cases with a maximum of 3 B-DGs. Some of the key findings indicate that operating 3 ICEs at optimal power factor reduces TAPL by 93.52 %, reduces VD by 99.62 % and improves VSI by 23.32 % compared to 61.80 % TAPL reduction, 94.77 % VD reduction and 17.89 % VSI improvement for 3 FCs operating at unity power factor. The proposed IPSO gives better results than the standard PSO in terms of solution quality, convergence speed and statistical results. It is also perceived to be better compared to most of the recent state-of-the-art optimization algorithms found in literature.