Novel mixed-integer method to optimize distributed generation mix in primary distribution systems

In recent years there has been an increasing focus on distributed generation, due to the benefits they bring to the distribution network and to consumers. To maximize these benefits, such as loss minimization, generator locations and sizes must be carefully determined. Currently few methods in the literature can allocate multiple types and multiple numbers of distributed generators simultaneously, and this paper proposes a novel method to do so. The proposed method is based on mixed integer quadratic programming with quadratic constraints, and is capable of determining the optimal number, locations and sizes of multiple types of DG units simultaneously for power loss minimization. Case studies are presented for 16 bus and 33 bus test feeders to demonstrate the methods capabilities.