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Determination of the Optimal Location and Sizing of
Distributed Generation using Particle Swarm
Optimization
Bongkoj Sookananta Werasuk Kuanprab
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ubonratchathani University
85 Sathonlamark
Warinchamrap, Ubonratchathani 34190 Thailand
Abstract- This paper presents the determination of the
optimal location and sizing of the Distributed Generation (DG).
The heuristic optimization technique named Particle Swarm
Optimization (PSO) is utilized to search for an optimal solution
of the DG placement problem. The objective is to minimize total
line losses of the radial distribution network. Therefore, the
power flow calculation method for radial system is used to
calculate losses for the corresponding network and loading
condition, as it is simpler than the power flow solution for
meshed system. The method is found to be effective and
applicable for practical network.
I. INTRODUCTION
The distribution system is conventionally radial and
operates without installed generation units. The electrical
energy is supplied to the distribution network through
transmission at the Grid Supply Point (GSP). Therefore,
power flows in one direction from transmission to distribution.
At present, there is increasing number of the generation
connected to the distribution system which is generally called
Distributed Generation (DG). The location and amount of
power supplied from the DG into the distribution system have
influence on the operation of the system. They can either
increase or decrease the efficiency and stability of the system.
Large power supplied from the DG can even reverse the
direction of power flow. Therefore, the suitable location and
sizing of the DG is preferred.
In [1], the optimal location of a specific sizing DG is
determined using the ant colony search. In [2], the optimal
location and sizing of the DG are determined using the genetic
algorithm. The objective is to reduce losses of the system.
This paper determines the optimal location and the sizing of
the DG in order to minimize total losses of the distribution
network.
In this paper, the DG on radial distribution network is
considered. To simulate how power flows in the network, the
power flow solution is required. Many calculation methods for
the load flow in radial network have been proposed in order to
reduce complexity as mesh network is absent [3, 4].
For better understanding of works in this paper, brief
introductions to the distributed generation and the power flow
solution algorithm for the radial distribution network are given
in the following sections.
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Sutiya Hanak
II. DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
The distributed generation is defined by [5] for its purpose
as “to provide a source of active electric power” and for its
location as “the installation and operation of electric power
generation units connected directly to the distribution network
or connected to the network on the customer site of the meter”.
From the definition, the DG includes the generation units
that could not supply reactive power and locates close to the
customer or end user. However, there is no specific definition
for the capacity of the DG. Only categories are mentioned as
follows.
1. Micro distributed generation has capacity larger than
1 W and less than 5kW
2. Small distributed generation has capacity larger than
5kW and less than 5MW
3. Medium distributed generation has capacity larger
than 5MW and less than 50MW
4. Large distributed generation has capacity larger than
50 MW and less than 300MW
Limitation of DG capacity taken into account in this paper
is not dependent on the category but depends on the total
demand of a considered distribution system.
DG technology is based on the types of power resources
such as biomass, biogas, solar and wind. They can be micro-
turbine, solar cell, fuel cell and Combined Heat and Power
(CHP). Each of them has typical characteristic. For example,
in general, the solar cell and wind turbine produce only real
power. In Thailand, the widely applied technology for the DG
is thermal power generation with utilization of biomass.
Therefore, this paper considers the generation unit that can
generate both real and reactive power.
III. LOAD FLOW CALCULATION
In radial distribution network, power flows from Grid
Supply Point to loads in one direction and path. The GSP is
normally presented as the first bus of the network. As the
power can be fed to load through an only one path, the
reliability of the radial distribution network to the connected
loads is lower than that of the meshed one. However, it is
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widely utilized especially for small or conventional network. The initial values of real and reactive power leaving the
Additionally, without mesh, power flow calculation can be GSP can be calculated by
much simpler. n

In this paper, the power flow calculation method for radial P0 = ∑ PLi + Pfactor (4)
i =1
distribution network proposed by Abu-Mouti and El-Hawary
n
[4] is utilized. Consider the distribution system containing Q0 = ∑ QLi + Q factor (5)
main feeder, lateral, sublateral and distributed generation as i =1
shown in figure 1, the power flow from each bus can be Where
calculated by Pfactor is real power losses approximation
Pi = Pi −1 − ri ( Pi −21 + Qi2−1 ) / Vi −21 − PL + μP Pgi
i
(1) Qfactor is reactive power losses approximation
Qi = Qi −1 − xi ( P + Q ) / V − QLi + μQQgi
2
i −1
2
i −1
2
i −1
(2) 2
⎛ n ⎞ ⎛ n ⎞
Where ⎜ ∑ Li ⎟ + ⎜ ∑ QLi ⎟ n
P
⎝ i =1 ⎠ ⎝ i =1 ⎠ r
Pi is real power flows from (the sending end) bus i
Qi is reactive power flows from (the sending end) bus i V02
∑
i =1
i

Vi is bus voltage magnitude at bus i Pfactor = (6)

n −1
ri is resistance of branch, connected to (the receiving end)
bus i 2
⎛ n ⎞ ⎛ n ⎞
⎜ ∑ Li ⎟ + ⎜ ∑ QLi ⎟ n
xi is reactance of branch, connected to (the receiving end) P
bus i ⎝ i =1 ⎠ ⎝ i =1 ⎠ x
PLi is real power loads at bus i V02
∑
i =1
i

QLi is reactive power loads at bus i Q factor = (7)

n −1
μ P is real power multiplier,
μP = 0 where there is no active power source at bus i Where
μP = 1 where there is active power source at bus i n is the number of buses
μ Q is reactive power multiplier, set to zero when there The real and reactive loss between two buses can be
μQ = 0 where there is reactive power source at bus i calculated by
μQ = +1 where there is a source supplying reactive ⎛ P2 + Q2 ⎞
PLossi = ⎜ i −1 2 i −1 ⎟ ri (8)
power at bus i
⎝ Vi −1 ⎠
μQ = -1 where there is a source consuming reactive
power at bus i ⎛ P2 + Q2 ⎞
QLossi = ⎜ i −1 2 i −1 ⎟ xi (9)
Pgi is active Power magnitude injected at bus i ⎝ Vi −1 ⎠
Qgi is reactive Power magnitude injected at bus i

V0
V1 Vi Pg , Qg Vn
P0 , Q0 P1 , Q1
R1 + jX 1
PL1 + jQL1
Figure 1. Single line diagram of a distribution system
The voltage at each bus can be calculated by
V i2 = V i2−1− 2(ri Pi−1 + xi Qi−1) +(r i2+ x i2) × (Pi2−1+Qi2−1)/V i2−1
From equation (1) to (3), the real and reactive power
leaving bus i and the voltage at bus i are calculated from the
power leaving bus i – 1 connected to bus i. Therefore, the real
and reactive power leaving bus i – 1 and the voltage at bus i –
1 must be initially known. The voltage at the GSP or at the
first bus of the distribution network is normally known. In
general calculation, it is set to 1.0000 pu.
When
Pn , Qn PLoss,i is real power losses in branch connected to (the
receiving end) bus i
QLoss,i is reactive power losses in branch connected to (the
receiving end) bus i
The algorithm of power flow calculation in the radial
distribution system utilized in this paper is given as follows.
1. Input network data
2. Calculate the estimated real and reactive power losses
using equation (6) and (7) using 1∠0° of voltage at the
GSP
3. Estimate the real and reactive power flow from the GSP
(3) using equation (4) and (5)
4. Calculate the real and reactive power flow from all bus
and all bus voltages in the main feeder using equation
(1) to (3)
5. Check convergence of the power flow calculation for
main feeder by checking if the real and reactive power
leaving the last bus in main feeder are less than a
selected tolerance (Pn, Qn < 10-7)
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6. Calculate the real and reactive power losses of each
branch using equation (8) and (9)
7. Repeat step 3 to 5 until the power flow for main feeder
converges. Note that step 3 is repeated by using losses
from step 6 rather than the estimated initial losses Pfactor
and Qfactor
8. In case the system has lateral feeder connected to the
main feeder at bus i, repeat step 2 to 7 for calculation of
the lateral. Note that step 2 is repeated by using the
voltage at bus i obtained from the calculation for main
feeder
9. Similarly, repeat step 4 to 7 for the sublateral(s) if they
exist
10. Repeat the calculation for the main feeder, lateral(s)
and sublateral(s) until calculation in all parts converge
This method is used to solve the load flow problem in the
distribution system and the system losses obtained from the
calculation is further used by the optimization technique to
search for the optimal location and sizing of the DG.
Apart from the local and global best solutions, the learning
factors also affect the velocity of particles. The factor c1 is
called the social parameter and c2 is called the cognitive
parameter. From the study on performance of the PSO by the
authors of this paper, the factors are selected as 2.
The PSO proceeds until an assigned number of maximum
iterations is met. In this paper, it is selected as 600.
The flowchart of the PSO is given in figure 2.
Start
Random initial population
Calculate the objective values to indicate
quality of the population members
Record the best member found in current
iteration (Plocal) and the best member
found so far (Pglobal)
Calculate velocity

IV. PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION (PSO)

Calculate new generation
The PSO was formulated by Edward and Kennedy [6] in
1995. The concept of algorithm is inspired by the social
No
behaviour of the animals such as bird flocking and fish Check if the criterion is
schooling. The PSO is similar to the continuous GA as it met?
begins with a random population process. However, it does Yes
not contain the evolution process such as the crossover and Stop
mutation. Figure 2. The flowchart of the PSO
Each member of the PSO population is called particle (in
case the member consists of components, the components
V. PROBLEM FORMULATION
calls particle). The particle moves to new position depending
on experience and the quality of the new discovered place. The optimization problem considered in this paper can be
The particle velocity and new position of the particle are presented in the mathematical expression as
calculated by n
Min. f = ∑ PLossi (12)
V new old
=V − c1 × r1 × ( p local old
− p ) + c2 × r2 × ( p global
− p ) (10)
old i =1
Subject to
new old new
p =p +V (11) Pn, Qn < 10-7 (13)
n
Where 1 kW < Pg < ∑ PLi (14)
Vnew is new particle velocity i =1
Vold is old particle velocity obtained in previous iteration The power flow solution method given in section III is used
pnew is new particle variables to calculate the objective function which is the system losses.
pold is old particle variables obtained in previous iteration
The equation (13) constraint is also handled in the power flow
r1, r2 are independent uniform random numbers
solution. The equation (14) constraint is handled in the PSO
c1, c2 are learning factors
process while it is searching for the optimal location and
plocal is best solution found in previous iteration
sizing of the DG.
pglobal is best solution ever found the calculation
The PSO process starts with a random population. It VI. CASE STUDIES
proceeds with the update of velocity and new position of the
particle. At each iteration, the best solution is recorded. It is In this section, the presented method for determination of
called the local best solution. All best solutions in the record the optimal location and sizing of the DG is tested and
are compared with each other and the best one is called the illustrated using two test feeders.
global best solution. These values have influence on the
velocity and how particles move in the next iteration.
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A. Simple distribution system 14

The 10-bus test feeder operates at 23 kV is shown in figure
3. The network data can be found in [7]. This test network has 12

loads connected to all buses except bus 1. The total demand of 10

the network is 12.368 MW and 4.186 MVar.

Generation Size (MW)

8

Figure 3. Single line diagram of the 10-bus test feeder

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bus number
The power losses for base case (original case without DG)
of the 10-bus distribution test system is 765.84 kW. Figure 5. The population of the PSO for DG placement on 10-bus radial
By using the presented method, the optimal location of the distribution network at the last iteration
DG is found at bus 8. The corresponding sizing is 4.7 MW and
3.53 MVar. With this DG, the total losses of the system is The convergence of the PSO is shown in figure 6.
246.76 kW which is reduced by 67.75%. The results are 800

summarized in table I. 700

In this case, the population of the PSO is 30. The random

initial population of the PSO is shown in figure 4. As iteration
600

System Loses (kW)

proceeds, the population members move the better area and 500

closer to each other as shown in figure 5. 400

TABLE I
THE OPTIMAL DG ON 10-BUS TEST FEEDER AND CORRESPONDING VALUES 300

The optimal location of DG (bus number) 8 200

0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Iteration

Real power supplied from DG (MW) 4.7 Figure 6. The convergence of the PSO for DG placement on 10-bus radial
distribution network
Reactive power supplied from DG (MVar) 3.53

Power Losses (kW) 246.76

B. Radial network with laterals
Percentage losses reduction 67.75 The 34-bus test feeder is considered in this section. The
feeders and loads data can be obtained in [8]. The total
14
demand of the network is 24.55 MW and 8.95 MVar.
12 The power losses for base case (original case without DG)
of the 34-bus distribution test system is 7.5 MW.
10
By using the presented method, the optimal location of the
Generation Size (MW)

8 DG is found at bus 7. The corresponding sizing is 9.25 MW

and 6.94 MVar. With this DG, the total losses of the system is
6
3.98 kW which is reduced by 47%. The results are
4
summarized in table II.
TABLE II
2
THE OPTIMAL DG ON 34-BUS TEST FEEDER AND CORRESPONDING VALUES
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The optimal location of DG (bus number) 7
Bus number

Real power supplied from DG (MW) 9.25

Figure 4. The initial population of the PSO for DG placement on 10-bus
radial distribution network Reactive power supplied from DG (MVar) 6.94

Power Losses (MW) 3.98

Percentage losses reduction 47

With repeat of the simulation, it is also found that the

optimal location of the DG on this 34-bus radial distribution
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network is bus 9. The corresponding sizing is 6.36 MW and VII. CONCLUSION

4.77 MVar. With this DG, the total losses of the system is
4.02 MW which is reduced by 46.4 %. The reduction of losses
is very close to that in case optimal location at bus 7.
In this case, the population of the PSO is 30. The random
initial population of the PSO is shown in figure 7. As iteration
proceeds, the population members move the better area and
closer to each other as shown in figure 8.
50
45
40
This paper presents a method for determination of the
optimal DG in radial distribution network. The method utilizes
a simple load flow method for calculation of power flow and
losses in the network. The total system losses is used as an
objective of the optimal DG problem. Associated with the
ACS technique, the optimal location of the DG and
corresponding optimal sizing can be obtained. This method is
found to be effective and easy to further implement for the
real-world network.

35
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Generation Size (MW)

30

25 This research is supported by the Energy Policy and

20 Planning Office, Ministry of Energy, Thailand.
15

REFERENCES
10

0
[1] F. Sheidaei, M. Shadkam and M. Zarei, “Optimal distributed generation
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 allocation in distribution systems employing ant colony to reduce
Bus number
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Figure 7. The initial population of the PSO for DG placement on 34-bus Engineering Conference, Italy, 2008.
[2] I. Pisica, C. Bulac and M.Eremia, “Optimal distributed generation
radial distribution network
location and sizing using Genetic Algorithms,” in the proceedings of the
30 15th International Conference on Intelligent System Applications to
Power Systems, 2009.
25
[3] D. Das, D. P. Kothari and A.Kalam, “Simple and efficient method for
load flow solution of radial distribution networks,” Electrical power &
Energy system, vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 335 – 346, 1995.
20
[4] F.S. Abu-Mouti and M.E.El-Hawary, “A new and fast power flow
Generation Size (MW)

solution algorithm for radial distribution feeders including distributed

15 generations,” in the proceedings of the IEEE International Conference
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10 [5] T. Ackermann, G. Andersson and L. Soder, “Distributed generation: a
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[6] R.L. Haupt and S.E. Haupt, Practical Genetic Algorithms, Second
edition, A John Wiley and Sons, Inc., USA, 2004.
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 [7] H. Chin and W. Lin, “Capacitor placement for distribution systems with
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Fuzzy Algorithm,” in the proceedings of the IEEE Region 10’s Ninth
Figure 8. The population of the PSO for DG placement on 34-bus radial Annual International Conference, Tencon’94, pp. 1025-1029, 1994.
[8] M.A. Salama and A.Y. Chikhani, “A simplified network approach to the
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The convergence of the PSO is shown in figure 9.
7500

7000

6500
Loses system (kW)

6000

5500

5000

4500

4000
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Iteration

Figure 9. The convergence of the PSO for DG placement on 34-bus radial

distribution network