Optimal Sizing and Positioning of Grid Integrated Distributed Generator using Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

The intermittent nature of non-conventional energy sources is a major concern in Designing and Simulation of the Integration of a Distributed Generator (DG) in an existing system. Expansive sizing of any system increases the cost of the system and under sizing causes a lack of reliability and poor voltage regulation. In this paper optimal DG - Solar PV System positioning and sizing method has been proposed using particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). Optimal positioning and sizing of the system has been calculated for a photovoltaic system considering annualized cost of the system and reliability constraint. The DG system is simulated to determine the position and size of the system component to test the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm over the energy based system sizing method. Simulation and test results prove that the proposed optimal system configuration is able to supply the load annually with the optimum system installation cost along with its payback period.