Distributed Generation Placement in Radial Distribution Networks using a Bat-inspired Algorithm

Distributed generation (DG) is an important issue for distribution networks due to the improvement in power losses, but the location and size of generators could be a difficult task for exact techniques. The metaheuristic techniques have become a better option to determine good solutions and in this paper the application of a bat-inspired algorithm (BA) to a problem of location and size of distributed generation in radial distribution systems is presented. A comparison between particle swarm optimization (PSO) and BA was made in the 33-node and 69-node test feeders, using as scenarios the change in active and reactive power, and the number of generators. PSO and BA found good results for small number and capacities of generators, but BA obtained better results for difficult problems and converged faster for all scenarios. The maximum active power injections to reduce power losses in the distribution networks were found for the five scenarios.