Enhancement of Voltage Profile in Unbalanced Distribution Systems with Variable Loads

Abstract

Nowadays, interconnection of distributed generation (DG) units to distribution grids becomes more popular due to the many benefits they provide to grids. Their contribution in voltage regulation can improve the voltage profile in distribution networks. In addition, optimal power flow as a powerful tool in planning and load management can be applied to the distribution networks as well as at transmission level. This paper proposes a multi-objective function to address the nonlinear optimal power flow (OPF) problem in the medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. Cuckoo Search (CS) optimization approach is applied to solve the OPF problem. The proposed method is applied to IEEE 13 nodes test case with variable load. The results indicate the enhancement in voltage profile in addition to reduction of the network losses and more balanced system.