A priority-ordered constrained search technique for optimal distributed generation allocation in radial distribution feeder systems

This paper presents a priority-ordered constrained search technique for optimal distributed generation (DG) allocation in radial distribution feeder systems. The distribution feeder system is divided into regions and the region(s) representing ≥ 40% of loads-percentage are selected for optimal DG placement. Utilizing the proposed technique with meta-heuristic algorithms will accelerate the algorithms´ performance without affecting the solution quality. The artificial bee colony (ABC), as a new meta-heuristic population-based algorithm, is adopted to verify the proposed technique efficiency. The IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus feeder systems are examined, and the results obtained by the proposed technique are compared with those found using other methods. The outcomes confirm that the proposed technique led to significant search-space and time-consumption reductions without affecting the solution quality.