Distribution network expansion planning considering DG - Penetration limit using a metaheuristic optimization technique: A case study at debre markos distribution network

Abstract

This paper presents an optimization model for the expansion planning of electrical distribution network in the selected 15-kV Debre Markos distribution network to evaluate the power loss and voltage deviation when installing distributed generation (DG) with proper penetration limit together with newly upgraded lines. For the aforementioned problems, the objective function is minimizing the total power loss and total voltage deviation for the expanded distribution network during the planning period and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed to solve the problem. Case studies are performed to demonstrate the validity of the proposed model and method. To evaluate the capability of the existing Debre Markos distribution network and capability to supply reliable power considering future expansion, load demand forecast for the years 2016/17-2021/22-2026/27 is done using the least square method. The performance evaluation of the existing and the expanded network considering the existing and forecasted load demand for the years 2021/22 and 2026/27 is done using forward-backward sweep power flow method. To make the distribution network reliable, the expansion planning is carried out using PSO as a major task of the paper.