Reconfiguration of Distribution Network with Distributed Energy Resources Integration Using PSO Algorithm

This paper presents optimal reconfiguration of radial distribution network with integration of distributed energy resources (DER) using improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The benefits of DER integration in distribution system are reducing power losses, improving voltage profiles and load factors, eliminating system upgrades, and reducing environmental impacts. However, the presence of DER could also cause technical problems in voltage quality and system protection. Reconfiguration of distribution network is aimed to minimize power loss and to improve voltage quality in order to enhance the distribution system performance. In this study, reconfiguration method is based on an improved PSO. The method has been tested in a 60-bus Bantul distribution network of Yogyakarta Special Region province, Indonesia. The simulation results show the importance of reconfiguring the network for enhancing the distribution system performance in the presence of DER