OPTIMUM ALLOCATION OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION BY LOAD FLOW ANALYSIS METHOD: A CASE STUDY

Wasim Nidgundi, Dinesh Ballullaya, Mohammad Yunus M Hakim

Abstract: DG is nothing but a small scale generation element connected directly to the distribution network or near customer load center. DG affects the flow of power and voltage conditions at customers and utility equipment. These impacts may manifest themselves either positively or negatively depending on the distribution system operating characteristics and the DG characteristics. DG has a limited size of 10MW or less especially when DG is used in a distribution network. DG is installed at the place where it becomes unfeasible to build a central generation plant. DG is installed to improve the voltage profile as well as minimize losses. DG allocation is a crucial factor. Optimum DG allocation provides a variety of benefits. But inappropriate DG allocation can cause low or over voltage in the network. In this paper a case study is carried out for the Dharwad region, Karnataka. Load flow based method and ETAP software is used to determine the optimum location & optimum size of DG for voltage profile improvement & loss reduction.

Keywords: Distributed Generation, Load flow Analysis, ETAP, optimum location, voltage profile improvement.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0305055