Application of Modified Flow Direction Algorithm for Network Reconfiguration with Distributed Generator Installation.

This article used an improved version of the Flow Direction Algorithm (FDA) with acceleration coefficients named Modified Flow Direction Algorithm (MFDA) for simultaneous Optimal Network Reconfiguration (ONR) and Optimal Distribution Generation's (ODG) installation to reduce the Active Power Losses (APL), maximize the Voltage Profile (VP) and stability of the Distribution System (DS). FDA is motivated by the simulation of the direction of water flow into a drainage basin at a lower elevation area. The neighboring flow and its slope also affect the direction of the water flow; its slope was obtained using the D8 method. FDA has a low convergence rate, stuck with local optima. This article proposed acceleration coefficients to acquire the proper balance between exploration and exploitation, accelerate the global convergence rate, and avoid getting stuck with local optima. The efficiency of the MFDA is evaluated based on its performance on 16 standard benchmark functions and is also used to solve the simultaneous ONR and ODG installation. Two DSs consisting of 33 and 69 bus test systems are considered to solve the problem. There are three methodologies to reduce the APL and maximize the VP and stability: ONR, ODG, and simultaneous ONR and ODG installation. This article uses four case studies with different load levels to show the proposed method's reliability. The analysis shows a better way to minimize the power loss by solving simultaneous ONR and ODG installation rather than only optimizing reconfiguration or installation of DG. It has been discovered that the results achieved are superior to those produced using the ISCA, FWA, HSA, etc. So, the MFDA shown can be a potentially useful way to solve 16 standard benchmark functions and simultaneous ONR and ODG installation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]