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Integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) into modern electric power systems offers various techno-economic benefits. However, the inconsistent power profile of RES influences the power flow of the entire distribution network, so it is crucial to optimize the power flow in order to achieve stable and reliable operation. Therefore, this paper proposes a newly developed circle search algorithm (CSA) for the optimal solution of the probabilistic optimal power flow (OPF). Our research began with the development and evaluation of the proposed CSA. Firstly, we solved the OPF problem to achieve minimum generation fuel costs; this used the classical OPF. Then, the newly developed CSA method was used to deal with the probabilistic power flow problem effectively. The impact of the intermittency of solar and wind energy sources on the total generation costs was investigated. Variations in the system's demands are also considered in the probabilistic OPF problem scenarios. The proposed method was verified by applying it to the IEEE 57-bus and the 118-bus test systems. This study's main contributions are to test the newly developed CSA on the OPF problem to consider stochastic models of the RESs, providing probabilistic modes to represent the RESs. The robustness and efficiency of the proposed CSA in solving the probabilistic OPF problem are evaluated by comparing it with other methods, such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and the hybrid machine learning and transient search algorithm (ML-TSO) under the same parameters. The comparative results showed that the proposed CSA is robust and applicable; as evidence, an observable decrease was obtained in the costs of the conventional generators' operation, due to the penetration of renewable energy sources into the studied networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the active distribution networks (ADNs), the emerging trend of high penetration of sustainable energy sources such as wind turbines, photovoltaics, and the forthcoming integration of energy storage devices and additional dynamic loads like plug‐in‐electric vehicles (PEVs) influences to change the nature of electric distribution networks. Consequently, it deteriorates power quality and reliability in terms of unacceptable voltage rise‐drop, harmonic distortion, voltage unbalance, and excessive power loss. In this context of transition into the active distribution network, the probabilistic optimal power flow (P‐OPF) in the ADN is considered an important tool that helps the distribution grid operators for defining the optimal settings of the system's control variables. However, the optimal solution of P‐OPF becomes highly complex while considering the multiple variables, time‐varying characteristics and operational uncertainties associated with sustainable resources, consumer behaviour and electricity market prices. This review aims at promoting the research and discussion of P‐OPF studies in the context of ADNs characteristics and challenges. First, we perform a data‐driven and visualized scientometric analysis of 1988 quality documents retrieved from the Scopus during the last ten years using VOSviewer software. Second, an in‐depth investigation of the recent and emerging techniques for solving the P‐OPF problem is presented. Third, a set of recommendations and highlights of future challenges for P‐OPF in ADNs are offered. The review findings showed high interest among the scientific community in sustainable energy source integration, given the recent rise in publications and citations. Also, there is still a lack of innovative optimization techniques that can adequately handle the current issues associated with P‐OPF and objectives with fair computational efficiency and accuracy. Finally, this paper offers a guide for P‐OPF researchers to navigate the recent studies considering the sustainable sources, spot the new research frontiers, and identify the most impactful countries and publishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel hybrid optimization technique based on a machine learning (ML) approach and transient search optimization (TSO) to solve the optimal power flow problem. First, the study aims at developing and evaluating the proposed hybrid ML-TSO algorithm. To do so, the optimization technique is implemented to solve the classical optimal power flow problem (OPF), with an objective function formulated to minimize the total generation costs. Second, the hybrid ML-TSO is adapted to solve the probabilistic OPF problem by studying the impact of the unavoidable uncertainty of renewable energy sources (solar photovoltaic and wind turbines) and time-varying load profiles on the generation costs. The evaluation of the proposed solution method is examined and validated on IEEE 57-bus and 118-bus standard systems. The simulation results and comparisons confirmed the robustness and applicability of the proposed hybrid ML-TSO algorithm in solving the classical and probabilistic OPF problems. Meanwhile, a significant reduction in the generation costs is attained upon the integration of the solar and wind sources into the investigated power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing electricity consumption and difficulty in upgrading existing infrastructures, ill‐conditioned power flow (PF) cases are becoming more frequent nowadays. In this context, classical robust solvers may be unsuitable for realistic networks, which typically encompass thousands of buses, because of their high computational burden or low convergence rate. This article tackles this issue by proposing a novel PF solver, which presents acceptable robustness and efficiency in solving large‐scale ill‐conditioned systems. The proposed algorithm collects the advantage of various numerical solvers, which by separate present different weaknesses, but actuating in coordination their strengths can be jointly exploited. More precisely, the robust Forward‐Euler and Trapezoidal rules are combined with the efficient Darvishi cubic technique. Thereby, an original predictor‐corrector algorithm is developed to effectively coordinate the different numerical algorithms involved, obtaining a robust but efficient yet solution procedure. Various large‐scale ill‐conditioned benchmark systems are studied under different stressing conditions. The results obtained with the developed technique are promising, outperforming other robust and standard PF solvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces an application of the recently developed hunger games search (HGS) optimization algorithm. The HGS is combined with chaotic maps to propose a new Chaotic Hunger Games search (CHGS). It is applied to solve the optimal power flow (OPF) problem. The OPF is solved to minimize the generation costs while satisfying the systems' constraints. Moreover, the article presents optimal siting for mixed renewable energy sources, photovoltaics, and wind farms. Furthermore, the effect of adding renewable energy sources on the overall generation costs value is investigated. The exploration field of the optimization problem is the active output power of each generator in each studied system. The CHGS also obtains the best candidate design variables, which corresponds to the minimum possible cost function value. The robustness of the introduced CHGS algorithm is verified by performing the simulation 20 independent times for two standard IEEE systems—IEEE 57-bus and 118-bus systems. The results obtained are presented and analyzed. The CHGS-based OPF was found to be competitive and superior to other optimization algorithms applied to solve the same optimization problem in the literature. The contribution of this article is to test the improvement done to the proposed method when applied to the OPF problem, as well as the study of the addition of renewable energy sources on the introduced objective function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]