A new index-based method for optimal DG placement in distribution networks

The expansion of distributed generations (DG) in the distribution networks brings visible technical and economic benefits to the grid. On the other hand, the place and size for DGs in a grid are very important, and optimal selection can decrease voltage profile volatility, system losses, and increase reliability indices especially. The issue of reliability in the distribution system is one of the important parameters in selecting the optimal location of DG. In other words, by considering this parameter, DG location will change in the distribution system and by installing it at this point; the reliability of the network has improved. Therefore, this paper proposes an analytical index to determine the optimal size and siting of DGs in a distribution network. The proposed index has consisted of loss sensitivity factor, voltage stability index, and reliability based factors. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method in the previous section, the simulation procedure has been implemented on the IEEE 33 and 69 bus distribution systems. The effectiveness of the suggested index is clarified by using different test systems, and the results have been compared with other proposed methods. The results indicated that the proposed simple index could be acceptable in finding the optimal location and size of DG better than complicated optimization methods.