Comparing the network performance between the installation of DG and compensating capacitor using EP

Abstract

Rapid industrialization and population growth have resulted in an escalation in the electrical power demand. Due to limited area and slow progress in network expansion some regions have become high density load areas, for example in the urban areas. These phenomena may lead to power quality and also voltage stability issues. This paper presents the performance improvement in distribution network with distributed generation (DG). Pre-developed sensitivity index was utilized to identify the suitable location of distributed generation installation; followed by optimization of the distributed generation output to obtain maximum benefits from its installation using EP. Consequently, installation of capacitor was also implemented to perform similar task. The compensating capacitor was installed at the bus location identified by the sensitivity analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology was validated on the 33-Bus Distribution System. Results for loss minimization and voltage profile improvement produced by the distributed generator allocation with those obtained by installing the compensating capacitor in the system were compared accordingly in order to reveal the merit of each technique.