Simultaneous photovoltaic distributed generation and capacitor optimization for enhancing performance indices of radial power distribution system

This paper presents an effective metaheuristic framework using the Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA) for the simultaneous allocation of distributed generation (DG) units and capacitor banks (CB) in radial distribution systems (RDS). The method optimizes the locations and sizing for DG units and CB to minimize active power losses (APL), to reduce voltage deviation (VD), and to enhance voltage stability. The performance of the proposed approach is tested on IEEE 69-bus and 118-bus benchmark RDSs and the real-time Tala Egyptian RDS. The OOA achieved superior results compared to popular heuristic algorithms such as antlion optimizer (ALO), hunter-prey optimizer (HPO), and whale optimizer algorithm (WOA). Specifically, for three units of DG and single capacitor integration in the 69-bus system, OOA reduced the total APL by 75.1%, lowered the total voltage deviation (TVD) by 1.4835 p.u., and improved the total voltage stability index (TVSI) by 3.0229. With optimal assimilation of three units of DG and capacitors each, APL reduction, TVD minimization, and TVSI improvement further extended to 79.9%, 1.5013 p.u., and 2.2787, respectively. Furthermore, OOA validation on a variable-load 69-bus RDS and the real 37-bus Tala Egyptian RDS demonstrated consistent and superior performance, showcasing its robustness. Statistical analyses also confirm OOA's efficiency and ability to solve DG planning in the distribution networks.