Optimal planning of active distribution networks with hybrid distributed energy resources using grid-based multi-objective harmony search algorithm

This paper presents a new Grid-based Multi-objective Harmony Search Algorithm (GrMHS) for optimal planning and operation of Distributed Generation (DG) in an active distribution network. Both dispatchable and non-dispatchable (renewable) distributed generations are considered in this paper. The DGs location, size and power factor of diesel generator are optimized using the proposed algorithm in three objective case to minimize three conflicting objectives such as: energy loss, voltage deviation and cost of DG integration in the distribution network. The locations of the renewable sources are also optimized. As the objectives are conflicting with each other, pareto based GrMHS algorithm is proposed where it employs non dominated sorting for ranking of solutions and environmental selection for the secondary selection of population to the next iteration. The environmental selection establishes grid setting in the objective plane and three selection criterions are proposed. All uncertainties associated with load, wind speed and solar irradiance are included in the planning model. The choice of optimisation algorithm (Harmony Search) is ascertained with comparison of results for loss reduction and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated with IEEE 33-bus, IEEE 69-bus and Indian 85-bus distribution networks with two objectives. The three objective case is presented with relevant analysis for IEEE 33-bus and Indian 85-bus distribution systems.