Hybrid Frameworks for the Multi-objective Optimization of Distributed Generation Units and Custom Power Devices with Simultaneous Distribution Network Reconfiguration

The increased penetration of renewable energy sources in the distribution system affects the stability and efficiency of the system. To account for the intermittent nature of these sources, distribution network reconfiguration and the integration of custom power devices are important. This paper aims to identify the optimum location of photovoltaic systems and unified power quality conditioners in the distribution system considering economic and technical aspects. Three metaheuristic algorithms namely nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), strength pareto evolutionary algorithm-2 (SPEA2) and multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) were employed. Furthermore, three hybrid algorithms were developed by dividing the population into two parts. Multi-objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO) was applied in the upper part while NSGA-II, SPEA2 or MOEA/D was used in the lower part of the population resulting in three hybrid algorithms: MOPSO-NSGA II, MOPSO-SPEA2, MOPSO-MOEA/D. The simulation was performed on the IEEE-123 Node Test Feeder system using the OpenDSS and MATLAB environment. The performance of the proposed algorithms was compared according to their computation time and performance metrics such as pure diversity, generational distance and spacing. It was found that the hybrid algorithms enhance the convergence of the solutions to the true Pareto front. Combining SPEA2 or MOEA/D with MOPSO also reduced the complexity of the algorithms resulting in a lower simulation time.