Simultaneous Placement and Sizing of Distributed Generation Units and Shunt Capacitors on Radial Distribution Systems Using Cuckoo Search Algorithm

This paper presents a Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm-based methodology for simultaneous optimal placement and sizing of Shunt Capacitors (SCs) and Distributed Generations (DGs) together in radial distribution systems. The objectives of the work are to minimize the real power and reactive power losses while maximizing the voltage stability index of the distribution network subjected to equality and inequality constraints. Different operational test cases are considered namely installation of SCs only, DGs only, SCs before DGs, DGs before SCs, and SCs and DGs at one time. The proposed method has been demonstrated on standard IEEE 33-bus and a practical Ayepe 34-bus radial distribution test systems. The highest percentage power loss reduction of 94.4% and other substantial benefits are obtained when SCs and DGs are optimally installed simultaneously. Simulated results obtained from the proposed technique are compared with other well-known optimization algorithms and found to be more effective.