Optimal Integration of Distributed Renewable Generation for Reliability Improvement in Distribution Network

The fundamental characteristics of electrical power system is the provision of economical and reliable electricity to the consumers. The inability of the Centralized Generation (CG) which are mainly from fossil fuels to provide reliable electrical power necessitate the need for Distributed Renewable Generation (DRG) to augment the existing power system at the distribution level. Therefore, this paper presents a study on how to integrate DRG optimally in a real distribution network for reliability enhancement using Cuckoo Search Algorithm (CSA). The line, load and reliability parameters/data of the selected WAEC 11kV distribution network were collected, processed and analysed on developed single line diagram. Cuckoo search algorithm was used for identifying the DRGs optimal location and size in the developed distribution network while Backward-Forward Sweep method in MATLAB 2021 software environment was used to determine the power loss and reliability indices with and without DGs integration. The result at base case revealed a power loss of 2120kW at bus 85 with a minimum voltage of 0.9368 with reliability indices values: SAIFI, SAIDI, CAIDI and ASUI given as 10.9019f/c. yr, 38.2089hr/c. yr, 3.5048hr/c.int and 4.3617-3 p.u. respectively. Therefore, with 3DGs injected the power loss reduced to 970.6kW at an improved voltage of 0.95899 at 83bus. The percentage reduction in SAIFI, SAIDI, CAIDI and ASUI are 1.28%, 22.96%, 21.96% and 21.96% respectively which resulted in enhanced reliability.