Masoud Farhoodnea

Optimum D-STATCOM placement using firefly algorithm for power quality enhancement

This paper presents a novel method to optimally place the Distribution Static Synchronous Compensator (DSTATCOM) in a distribution system using the firefly algorithm (FA) for enhancing power quality. In the proposed method, the average voltage total harmonic distortion (THDV), average voltage deviation and total investment cost are considered as the objective functions, where voltage and power limits for individual buses are chosen as the optimization constraints. The performance of the proposed FA is investigated using the Matlab software on the radial IEEE 16bus test system. The obtained results are also compared with the particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm. The simulation results verify the ability of FA in accurately determining the optimal location and size of the D-STATCOM in radial distribution systems.

A new method for determining multiple harmonic source locations in a power distribution system

This paper presents a new technique for identifying the locations of multiple harmonic sources in a distribution system using independent component analysis and mutual information theory. Independent component analysis is applied for estimating the current profile of injected harmonic currents caused by the harmonic sources, while the mutual information theory is for estimating the location of harmonic sources. To verify the accuracy of the proposed method, numerical simulations were made in locating multiple harmonic sources in the IEEE 34 bus radial distribution system. Results showed that the proposed method can accurately estimate the locations of multiple harmonic sources without prior knowledge of the network parameters.

Optimum placement of active power conditioner in distribution systems using improved discrete firefly algorithm for power quality enhancement

This paper presents an improved solution for optimal placement and sizing of active power conditioner (APC) to enhance power quality in distribution systems using the improved discrete firefly algorithm (IDFA). A multi-objective optimization problem is formulated to improve voltage profile, minimize voltage total harmonic distortion and minimize total investment cost. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated on the IEEE 16- and 69-bus test systems using the Matlab software. The obtained results are compared with the conventional discrete firefly algorithm, genetic algorithm and discrete particle swarm optimization. The comparison of results showed that the proposed IDFA is the most effective method among others in determining optimum location and size of APC in distribution systems.

A novel protection coordination strategy using back tracking algorithm for distribution systems with high penetration of DG

Power distribution systems are conventionally designed as radial systems fed from a main source. However, when a distributed generation (DG) unit is connected to the system, the network is no longer radial. The presence of DG may affect existing protective relaying, especially overcurrent relays although DG has significant economic and environmental benefits. This paper proposed a novel protection strategy for coordinating the protection relays in power distribution system with high penetration of DG units. The proposed strategy coordinates the open/close states of the overcurrent relays by using the backtracking algorithm to determine the downstream and upstream paths leading to DG units. Initially, the faulty line is identified and the main protection algorithm determines the open/close states of relays so as to isolate the faulty line. In addition, a backup protection algorithm is considered to complete the protection coordination scheme in case of malfunction relays. Several case studies are considered to verify the accuracy of the proposed protection coordination method. The results verified that the proposed protection strategy is able to accurately coordinate the relays in a power distribution system with DG units.

Novel method for determining the contribution of utility and customer harmonic distortion in distribution systems

This paper presents a novel method for determining the contribution of harmonic distortion generated by utility and customer in a distribution system. The method considers modeling the customer side in terms of RLC components and the whole system is represented by a Norton equivalent circuit. Voltage and current at the point of common coupling are then measured to calculate the customer and utility harmonic current and voltage contributions. Simulations were carried out the 10 bus test system to verify the accuracy of the method.

New training strategies for RBF neural networks to determine fault location in a distribution network with DG units

This paper presents a new Radial Basis Function Neural Network with Optimum Steepest Descent (RBFNNOSD) learning algorithm for identifying the exact faulty line section in the distribution network with high penetration level of Distributed Generation (DG) Units. In the proposed method, to determine the exact fault location, two RBFNN-OSD have been developed for various fault types. The first RBFNN-OSD is used for predicting the fault distance from the source and all DG units while the second RBFNN is used for identifying the exact faulty line. Several case studies have been simulated to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. Furthermore, the results of RBFNN-OSD and RBFNN with conventional steepest descent algorithm are also compared. The results show that the proposed RBFNN-OSD can accurately determine the location of faults in a test given distribution system with several DG units.

Power quality improvement using an enhanced premium power park configuration

This paper presents an improved premium power park (PPP) configuration to mitigate power quality disturbances and increase quality, reliability and availability of the delivered power using custom power devices. In addition, the proposed configuration is able to provide three different levels of power quality for non-sensitive, sensitive and critical loads. To coordinate the combined custom power devices in close electrical proximity, a coordination algorithm is presented. The system performances are simulated in the presence of different power disturbances using MATLAB software program to investigate the abilities of the proposed configuration. Based on the simulation results, the proposed PPP can accurately improve power quality in different levels based on the loads requirements.

Effect of Renewable Distributed Generators on the Fault Current Level of the Power Distribution Systems

The presence of renewable distributed generator (RDG) in a distribution system will have unfavorable impact on the operating system because the distribution system is no longer radial in nature and is not supplied by a single main power source. With RDGs in a distribution network, it brings about a change in the fault current level of the system and causes many problems in the protection system, such as false tripping of protective devices, protection blinding, an increase and decrease in short-circuit levels. This paper presents the effect of RDGs on the fault current level of the system. The operating protection issues particularly in cases where RDGs are added to a LV distribution feeder are also discussed.

Optimum APC Placement and Sizing in Radial Distribution Systems Using Discrete Firefly Algorithm for Power Quality Improvement

This paper presents an improved solution to determine simultaneously the optimal location and size of active power conditioners (APCs) in distribution systems using the discrete firefly algorithm (DFA) for power quality enhancement. A multi-criterion objective function is defined to enhance voltage profile of the system, to minimize voltage total harmonic distortion and total investment cost. The performance analysis of the proposed DFA is performed in the Matlab software on the radial IEEE 34-bus test system to demonstrate its effectiveness. The DFA results are then compared with the standard firefly algorithm, standard particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm, and discrete PSO. The simulation and comparison of results prove that the DFA can accurately determine the optimal location and size of the APCs in radial distribution systems.