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Summary: This paper proposes a two‐stage planning approach for the efficient utilization of distributed generation (DG) and capacitor banks (CBs) for the simultaneous grid‐connected and islanded operations of the balanced distribution networks. The first stage determines the optimal installation locations and capacities of DGs and CBs using an improved variant of the Jaya optimization algorithm (IJaya) to minimize the power losses and voltage deviation during the grid‐connected operation of the distribution network. The second stage identifies the optimal operating point of the DG and CB combination to carry the maximum load during the islanded network operation under power supply‐demand imbalance conditions. For the second stage, an analytical approach is proposed to identify the best operating power factor for the DG‐CB combination, calculating the power loss, and under‐utilization of the installed real‐reactive power sources. Simulation results on the IEEE 33‐bus grid‐dependent distribution network demonstrate that the proposed IJaya significantly improved the network performance and outperforms various existing optimization methods. In addition, during the network's islanded operation, maintaining the network power factor equal to the source power factor (pfsource) makes the DG‐CB combination operate at their rated capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new methodology based on the combination of symbiosis organism search (SOS) and neural network algorithm (NNA), named SOS-NNA, for the optimal planning and operation of distributed generations (DGs) and capacitor banks (CBs) in the radial distribution networks (RDNs) considering single- and multi-objective optimization with various equality and inequality constraints. The multi-objective framework is a weighted combination of five component objectives including active power loss, voltage deviation, voltage stability, load balancing, and supply reliability. In addition, practical voltage-dependent non-linear load models are also examined. Two benchmark instances 33 and 69-bus networks have been utilized to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed SOS-NNA via various case studies. The obtained outcomes for different operating cases and test scenarios reveal that the proper combination of optimal power factor DGs (OPF-DGs) and CBs can boost the network performance indexes to an ever-highest degree for all test networks. A cost–benefit analysis is further implemented to evaluate the economic feasibility of the obtained multi-objective solutions. As a result, the proposed SOS-NNA shows a marked improvement regarding the solution quality compared to the recently well-established optimization algorithms as well as outweighs the original NNA in the performance indexes of the solution quality, convergence speed, and statistical results. In addition, the proposed SOS-NNA has been employed for allocating different DG types in RDNs with the consideration of actual 24-h load profiles and the obtained outcomes contribute to the further improvement of yearly energy loss mitigation as well as cost savings. • A new hybrid algorithm SOS-NNA is proposed for distribution systems optimization. • A multi-objective framework relating to five technical objectives is presented. • The best planning and operation solution is given for distribution systems. • Voltage-dependent load model and hourly generation scheduling cases are examined. • The superiority of proposed hybrid algorithm over other algorithms is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]