Analysis of Pre- and during COVID-19 Mixed Load Models on Unbalanced Radial Distribution System Using a New Metaphor-Less Rao Optimization

Abstract

An unbalanced electrical distribution system (DS) with radial construction and passive nature suffers from significant power loss. The unstable load demand and poor voltage profile resulted from insufficient reactive power in the DS. This research implements a unique Rao algorithm without metaphors for the optimal allocation of multiple distributed generation (DG) and distribution static compensators (DSTATCOM). For the appropriate sizing and placement of the device, the active power loss, reactive power loss, minimum value of voltage, and voltage stability index are evaluated as a multiobjective optimization to assess the device’s impact on the 25-bus unbalanced radial distribution system. Various load models, including residential, commercial, industrial, battery charging, and other dispersed loads, were integrated to develop a mixed load model for examining electrical distribution systems. The impact of unpredictable loading conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on DS is examined. The investigation studied the role of DG and DSTATCOM (DGDST) penetration in the electrical distribution system for variations in different load types and demand oscillations under the critical emergency conditions of COVID-19. The simulation results produced for the mixed load model during the COVID-19 scenario demonstrate the proposed method’s efficacy with distinct cases of DG and DSTATCOM allocation by lowering power loss with an enhanced voltage profile to create a robust and flexible distribution network.