Optimal Allocation of Renewable Distributed Generation Considering Harmonic Distortion and Hosting Capacity in Active Distribution Networks
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Abstract
The increasing penetration of renewable distributed generation (DG) has significantly transformed the operation of modern power distribution networks. While integrating renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic and wind systems improves energy sustainability and reduces transmission losses, it also introduces several operational challenges, including voltage fluctuations, increased power losses, reverse power flow, and harmonic distortion caused by inverter-based technologies. These issues can degrade power quality and limit the hosting capacity (HC) of distribution networks. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a multi-objective optimization framework for the optimal placement and sizing of renewable DG units while considering harmonic distortion constraints and hosting capacity enhancement. The proposed model simultaneously minimizes active power losses, voltage deviation, and total harmonic distortion (THD), while maximizing DG hosting capacity under network operational constraints. An improved metaheuristic optimization algorithm is employed to determine the optimal DG locations and capacities. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated using the IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus radial distribution systems. Simulation results demonstrate that the optimal DG integration significantly reduces power losses, improves voltage profiles, mitigates harmonic distortion, and enhances the hosting capacity of the distribution network.
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