Optimal multi objective placement and sizing of multiple DGs and shunt capacitor banks simultaneously considering load uncertainty via MOPSO approach

This study proposes a new application of multi objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) with the aim of determining optimal location and size of distributed generations (DGs) and shunt capacitor banks (SCBs) simultaneously with considering load uncertainty in distribution systems. The multi objective optimization includes three objective functions: decreasing active power losses, improving voltage stability for buses and balancing current in system sections. The uncertainty of loads is modeled by using fuzzy data theory. This method uses Pareto optimal solutions to solve the problem with objective functions and constraints. In addition, a fuzzy-based mechanism is employed to extract the best compromised solution among three different objective functions. The proposed method is implemented on IEEE 33 bus radial distribution system (RDS) and an actual realistic 94 bus Portuguese RDS and the results are compared with methods of Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA), Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA), Multi-Objective Differential Evolution (MODE) and combination of Imperialist Competitive Algorithm and Genetic Algorithm (ICA/GA). Test results demonstrate that the proposed method is more effective and has higher capability in finding optimum solutions in cases where DG and SCB are located and sized simultaneously in a multi objective optimization. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.