Distributed Generation Allocation and Sizing in Radial Distribution System Using Firefly Optimization Algorithm

Distributed generation (DG) is a new approach in the electricity industry and gaining interest worldwide. Optimal placement and sizing of DG in distribution system can reduce network power loss, improve voltage profile and defer investment on transmission and distribution expansion. Different analytical, mathematical and heuristic techniques and algorithms have been proposed in the past for optimal DG allocation and sizing. Meta-heuristic methods are intuitive, easy to understand and simple to implement in the problem. In this paper, Firefly Algorithm (FA) is proposed to determine the optimal sizes of DGs to minimize the total real power loss and improve voltage profile of the radial distribution system. The method is implemented in IEEE 13 buses test system and the results obtained are analyzed.