Optimal distribution network configuration using water cycle optimization algorithm with presence of distributed generation power plants

Providing the required resources to meet the energy demand of industry and minimizing the effects of these resources are the major current challenges of the electricity industry. One of the strategic solutions to this challenge is reconstruction of the smart distribution network, while not only increases the efficiency, but also reduces the costs. The advent of large power plants led to obsolescence of the small generators to generate electricity. However, the development of small-scale power generation technologies and the theory of reconstruction in the electricity industry, along with the environmental problems have led to the re-use of these generators in the electricity industry. By increasing the costs of transmitting and distributing, it is possible for DG to provide electricity for consumers with more affordable price. In these systems, the generated power by DG sources is controlled which can improve the voltage profile and reduce network losses with proper control of distribution network switches. These issues are mainly analyzed in the form of an optimization problem to improve the desired goals. In this paper, the problem of reconstruction in distribution networks is performed by determining the size of distributed generation to minimize the power losses and improve the network voltage profile. The desired optimization problem is solved by using the water cycle optimization algorithm. Reconstruction studies have been performed under the 33-bus and 69-bus systems. The simulations of this paper have been performed using MATLAB software.