Optimal allocation of dispersed generators for loss minimization

Dispersed generators (DGs) such as fuel cells and solar cells will be installed on the demand side of power systems. Such dispersed facilities can reduce distribution system loss by appropriate allocation. Planning and operation of distribution systems with the dispersed facilities have already been discussed. In this paper, the authors discuss the extent to which distribution system loss can be reduced if DGs are optimally allocated on the demand side of the distribution system. In order to determine the optimal allocation and size of DGs so as to minimize the distribution system loss, an algorithm based on tabu search is employed. The proposed algorithm consists of iterated nested use of the tabu search algorithm. Namely, in the proposed algorithm, in one computational iteration, after the location of the DG is temporarily determined by tabu search, the size of the DG is also determined by tabu search so as to minimize the distribution system loss for the temporarily determined allocation. Numerical simulations are carried out for two system models in order to examine the validity of the algorithm.