Optimal Distributed Generation (DG) Allocation in Distribution Networks using an Improved Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) Algorithm

Abstract: The development of distributed generation (DGs) units in recent years have created challenges in the operation of power grids, especially distribution networks. One of these issues is the optimal allocation (location and capacity) of these units in distribution networks. In this thesis, a method based on the improved ant colony optimization algorithm is presented to solve the problem of optimal allocation of DG units. It is an evolved version algorithm of the ant colony algorithm that has been modified to improve its performance. The considered objective function is the active power losses of the network. The proposed method has been implemented on the standard IEEE 33-bus networks, and the obtained results have been compared with the results from other techniques. In system, three buses are considered as the candidate buses, and optimal capacity of the DG units is obtained with the proposed optimization algorithm. The proposed method is programmed with MATLAB software. The results show that the proposed method has ultimately achieved a better solution.