Comparative analysis of particle swarm optimization variants on distributed generation allocation for network loss minimization

Increase in installation and integration of various small scale power generation technologies into the electrical grid has directed the attention of many researchers to the impact these sources can have on the performance of grid. Optimal location and sizing reduces network losses and also contributes to voltage profile improvement. This paper presents a comparative analysis of three Particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique variants for the optimal location and sizing of a single Distributed generation (DG) unit in a modified IEEE 16 bus system to minimize total active power losses occurring in the system. The DG has been modeled as a generator bus with three different inertia weight strategies of PSO and effects on the network losses and the voltage profile has been presented.