Optimal Placement of PVDG Units in Distribution Network Using Particle Swarm Optimization

This study employs the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to determine the optimal sizing and placement of photovoltaic distributed generation (PVDG) in a 33-bus distribution system. The objective of this study is to minimize power losses and improve voltage profile characteristics, ensuring efficient operation of PVDG units. The superiority of applied PSO has been verified by considering a base case study for the IEEE 33 bus system. To investigate the impact of integrating multiple PVDG numbers, this study utilized 4 PVDG units to demonstrate a significant reduction in power losses, incorporating practical constraints such as power balance, voltage limit, PVDG capacity, and PVDG placement. The amount of power losses was 103.96 kW for a single PVDG and reduced to 65.93 kW with the optimal placement of four PVDG units. However, the improvements among voltage profile improvements highlight the convergence of the PSO algorithm in achieving optimal location and sizing for utilized PVDG units. These findings provide a foundation for future studies incorporating demand-side management, hybrid optimization techniques, and real-time control strategies.