Enhancing Power Quality in Distribution Networks Through the Optimal Allocation and Sizing of Capacitor Banks and Distributed Generation Sources, Utilizing A New Evolutionary Algorithm

Mohammadian, Leila

doi:10.61882/jgeri.2.3.54

Enhancing Power Quality in Distribution Networks Through the Optimal Allocation and Sizing of Capacitor Banks and Distributed Generation Sources, Utilizing A New Evolutionary Algorithm

Document Type : Research article

Author

Leila Mohammadian

Department of Electrical Engineering, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran

https://doi.org/10.61882/jgeri.2.3.54

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive framework for enhancing power quality in radial distribution networks by simultaneously optimizing the placement and size of capacitor banks and distributed generation (DG) units. Employing the biogeography-based optimization (BBO) algorithm, this research addresses key objectives, including minimizing power losses and improving voltage profiles. The methodology incorporates critical operational constraints, such as voltage limits and permissible installation locations for DG units and capacitors. The proposed approach is validated using the IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system, where numerical results demonstrate a reduction in power losses by 88.28% with the simultaneous placement of DGs and capacitors (Mode 4), compared to the base case. Voltage profiles improved significantly, with the lowest voltage rising from 0.9117 pu in the base mode to 0.9835 pu. Additionally, Mode 5, involving variable power factors, achieved a 94.4% reduction in losses, further enhancing system efficiency. These results highlight the BBO algorithm's superior performance and computational efficiency in addressing complex distribution system challenges. This study is particularly relevant for optimizing renewable energy integration and future power system resilience.‎

Graphical Abstract

Enhancing Power Quality in Distribution Networks Through the Optimal Allocation and Sizing of Capacitor Banks and Distributed Generation Sources, Utilizing A New Evolutionary Algorithm

Highlights

❖ A new algorithm is proposed for simultaneous power quality improvement and optimal allocation/sizing of DGs and capacitor banks in radial distribution networks.
❖ The optimization goal is to minimize power losses and improve voltage profiles through proper DG and capacitor placement.
❖ Constraints include voltage limits, DG and capacitor sizes, and candidate bus locations.
❖ The method uses Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO), which models solutions as islands exchanging features via immigration and emigration.
❖ Tested on the IEEE 33-bus radial distribution network, results were compared and validated against other references.

Keywords

Biogeography-based optimization

Capacitor Banks

Distributed Generation

Power Quality

Declaration of competing interest
The author declares that there are no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. All ethical standards, including avoidance of plagiarism, informed consent, research misconduct, data fabrication or falsification, duplicate publication or submission, and redundancy, have been fully observed by the author.

Credit Authorship Contribution Statement
Leila Mohammadian: Conceptualization, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Supervision, Writing-review & editing.

Bibliography
Leila Mohammadian was born in Tabriz, Iran, in 1984. She received her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, in 2007, 2011, and 2015, respectively. She has been with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Shab.C., Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran, since 2011. She has been an Assistant Professor since 2015. She is the author of more than 60 journal and conference papers. Her current research interests include the analysis and control of power electronic converters and their applications, power quality enhancement and FACTS devices, application of control systems and theory in power engineering, and power system dynamics, renewable energy sources, and energy storage systems.

Citation
L. Mohammadian," Enhancing Power Quality in Distribution Networks Through the Optimal Allocation and Sizing of Capacitor Banks and Distributed Generation Sources, Utilizing A New Evolutionary Algorithm," Journal of Green Energy Research and Innovation, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 54-71, 2025.

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