Optimal Sizing of DGs for Voltage Profile Improvement and Loss Reduction Considering Harmonic Limits and Protection Coordination

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The application of Distributed Generation (DG) is growing continuously due to its several benefits, i.e. improvement of voltage profile and loss reduction. However, DGs cause the network to face several challenges, such as harmonic distortions, changes in current flow measured by current transformers and short circuit level. For example, the total harmonic distortion may exceed standard limits and cause power quality issues for distribution network. In addition, the changes in power flow and short circuit current levels could result in failure of the original protection scheme. In this paper, Genetic Algorithm is employed to find the optimum size of DGs for the purpose of voltage profile improvement and loss reduction while constraining THD to its standard limits. Finally, an optimal protection coordination is performed for both network connected and island modes of micro grid. Simulation studies is performed on a 14-node radial distribution network and the results are presented in detail.