Maximizing DG penetration using optimal placement of shunt devices in distribution systems

In recent years, there has been a tremendous growth in the penetration of distributed generation (DGs) sources in distribution networks to avoid transmission loss and generate power near the load centers. However, various factors such as voltage regulation, power quality, stability and reliability limits the penetration of DGs in the distribution network. The penetration of low-cost inverter-based based DGs (IDGs) are highly limited due to their harmonic current injections which affects the power quality in the distribution system. On the other hand, the wide penetration of synchronous-based DGs (SDGs) are limited due to their high fault current contribution which disturbs the relay coordination in the distribution system. Power system components such as shunt capacitors are well known to address this issue of voltage regulation and provide reactive power compensation to maximize the DG penetration. Thus, in this paper a novel two-phase method for optimal placement of DGs and shunt capacitors is proposed considering the collective network constraints such as harmonies constraints, voltage regulation constraints, protection coordination constraints and load flow constraints. To test the efficacy of the proposed two-phase approach, a modified IEEE 14-bus system is used.