Optimal Allocation of DGs and Capacitor Devices using Improved Grey Wolf Optimizer

This paper proposes an improved variant of grey wolf optimizer (IGWO) for optimally selecting the sites and the sizes of distributed generations (DGs) and capacitor devices (CDs) in MV distribution systems. Miscellaneous objective functions are adopted in the considered allocation problem to minimize the total investment costs of DGs and CDs, maximize the savings of operational losses, maximize the savings related to reducing the generated power from the grid substation, improve the voltage profile and enhance the loading capacity. Added to that, daily loading conditions are incorporated through peak, medium, and light loading levels. These different objectives are integrated via the weighted sum approach and the weights are wisely estimated using the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). Also, the proposed IGWO is compared with the particle swarm optimizer (PSO), and basic GWO (BGWO). The compared algorithms have been applied to two realistic Egyptian systems such as Tala distribution feeder (TDF) and East Delta MV ring (EDR). The numerical results show conspicuous technical and economical features for the studied distribution systems using the proposed IGWO with superior capabilities over the PSO and BGWO.