Hybrid sensitivity-driven enhanced modified ant lion optimizer framework for multi- distributed generation allocation in radial distribution networks

Optimal siting and sizing of distributed generation (DG) units in radial power distribution networks (RPDNs) remain a critical challenge due to their nonlinear, multi-objective nature. Existing optimization approaches often struggle with computational inefficiencies, premature convergence, and limited adaptability across varying network scales. Addressing these limitations, this study proposes a novel hybrid framework that integrates Active Power Loss Sensitivity (APLS) and Voltage Sensitivity Index (VSI)-based bus preselection with an Enhanced Modified Ant Lion Optimizer (EMALO) for efficient multi-DG allocation. The proposed method leverages chaos-based initialization, Lévy-flight global search, and an elitist memory pool to enhance convergence reliability and solution diversity. A multi-objective fitness function is employed to minimize real power loss (RPL) and improve voltage profiles (VP), evaluated through Pareto-optimal approach. The methodology is rigorously tested on IEEE 69-bus and 118-bus systems and the practical Cairo-59-bus network using real-time load and PV generation profiles. Results reveal that EMALO achieves up to 69.12% and 96.52% RPL reductions for PV and WT scenarios respectively on the 69-bus system, surpassing conventional ALO, ABC, and BAT algorithms in both technical and computational performance. In the Cairo-59 case, EMALO reduced losses by 87%, demonstrating its practical viability. By addressing key research gaps in adaptive bus selection and robust multi-objective optimization, this study contributes a scalable, performance-driven solution for enhancing grid reliability and energy efficiency in modern RPDNs. • A hybrid EMALO method optimizes multi-DG siting in radial power networks. • APLS–VSI preselection improves convergence and voltage profile enhancement. • Real power losses reduced by up to 96.52% across various IEEE test systems. • EMALO outperforms ALO, BAT, and ABC in both speed and solution quality. • Practical validation conducted on the Cairo-59 bus system with 87% loss drop.