OPTIMIZATION OF SOFT OPEN POINTS (SOPs) AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINIMIZE POWER LOSS AND ELECTRICITY PURCHASING COST IN THE IEEE 33-NODE DISTRIBUTION GRID

Abstract

This paper optimally allocates soft open points (SOPs) and distributed generators (DGs) in the IEEE 33-node distribution grid (DPG) to reduce power loss in an hour and the cost of purchasing electricity from the grid in a day. The EO method is applied to optimize the location and sizing of DGs and SOPs in the DPG. The study demonstrated the lowest power loss when compared to previous research in two scenarios: first, with the placement of three distributed generators (DGs); and second, by simultaneously placing three DGs and 1 SOP within the DPG. Along with reducing power loss, the voltage profiles at the nodes in the DPG were also improved to exceed 0.95 per unit (pu) and approach 1.0 pu. Case 3 utilizes the optimal solution derived from case 2 to effectively operate the SOPs for a day, aiming to minimize the cost of electricity purchases, considering the variations in load, DGs, and electricity prices over the 24-hour period. The results of case 3 show that integrating one wind turbine (WT), two solar photovoltaic systems (PVs), and one SOPs in operation gives the lowest cost of purchasing electricity from the grid, less than the system with only 1WT and 2 PVs, and much lower than the base system without DG and SOPs involved. Utilizing SOPs in DPGs with integrated DGs can significantly reduce power losses and the costs associated with purchasing electricity from the grid.