Optimal configuration for improved system performance of droop-controlled DC microgrid with distributed energy resources and storage

The placement of sources and loads in DC microgrids (DCMGs) influences the system's voltage regulation, span, and losses. In order to minimize losses and enhance voltage regulation, a unique algorithm for configuring a radial DCMG under droop control in an optimal way is presented in this paper. The suggested approach solves the optimal design problem by applying the power flow analysis technique. The genetic algorithm (GA), a heuristic method, is used to determine the ideal configuration because of the complexity of the optimization problem. An improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO)-based technique is also proposed for resolving the optimization issue to improve the convergence rate and computing efficiency. Appropriate modifications are proposed to yield an optimal configuration that results in the maximum achievable span for the radial, droop-controlled DCMG. To limit the bus voltage variations within the bounds, the objective functions of the optimization problem are appropriately formulated. In addition, the proposed algorithm is used to find the best position and power rating of a new distributed energy resource (DER) or load in the DCMG, in order to reduce system losses. A 5-bus, 500 W, radial, droop-controlled DCMG system's comprehensive numerical and simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. The findings are significant and useful for DCMG consumers as well as system designers.