Power loss reduction of distribution systems using BFO based optimal reconfiguration along with DG and shunt capacitor placement simultaneously in fuzzy framework

In distribution systems, network reconfiguration and capacitor placement are commonly used to diminish power losses and keep voltage profiles within acceptable limits. Moreover, the problem of DG allocation and sizing is great important. In this work, a combination of a fuzzy multi-objective approach and bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) as a meta-heuristic algorithm is used to solve the simultaneous reconfiguration and optimal sizing of DGs and shunt capacitors in a distribution system. Each objective is transferred into fuzzy domain using its membership function. Then, the overall fuzzy satisfaction function is formed and considered a fitness function inasmuch as the value of this function has to be maximized to gain the optimal solution. The numerical results show that the presented algorithm improves the performance much more than other meta-heuristic algorithms. Simulation results found that simultaneous reconfiguration with DG and shunt capacitors allocation (case 5) has 77.41%, 42.15%, and 56.14% improvements in power loss reduction, load balancing, and voltage profile indices, respectively in 33-bus test system. This result found 87.27%, 35.82%, and 54.34% improvements of mentioned indices respectively for 69-bus system.