“…The optimal placement and sizing of distributed generators for real power losses minimization in distribution systems over the past years were proposed with different algorithms called war optimization (Coelho et al 2018), global criterion method (Bhattacharya et al 2018), hybrid GMSA (Mohamed et al 2018), a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) (Biswas et al 2017), K-means clustering method (Penangsang et al 2018), shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA) (Suresh and Belwin Edward 2017), a combination of a fuzzy multi-objective approach and bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) as a meta-heuristic algorithm is used to solve the simultaneous reconfiguration and optimal sizing of DGs and shunt capacitors in a distribution system (Mohammadi et al 2017), a multi-objective genetic algorithm (Tarôco et al 2016), grey wolf optimizer (GWO) for multiple DG allocation (i.e. siting and sizing) in the distribution system (Sultana et al 2016), shuffled bat algorithm (Yammani et al 2016a), hybrid optimization algorithm (Yammani et al 2016b), flower pollination algorithm (Sudabattula and Kowsalya 2016), hybrid big brunch big crunch algorithm (Saha and George Fernandez 2016), sensitivity analysis technique (Gopiya Naik et al 2013), a modified teaching-learning-based optimization (MTLBO) algorithm (Martín García and Gil Mena 2013), harmony search algorithm (HSA) (Rao et al 2013), combined genetic algorithm (GA)/particle swarm optimization (PSO) (Moradi and Abedini 2012), improved honey bee mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm (Niknam et al 2011), multi-objective index-based approach (El-Zonkoly 2011), particle swarm optimization (PSO) (Táutiva et al 2009;Kansal et al 2013), a genetic algorithm (Masoum et al 2004) capacitor placement, multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) probability-based solar power DG into the distribution system (Mahesh et al 2017a, b), state-of-the-art models and methods applied to the ODGP problem (Georgilakis and Hatziargyriou 2013;Abdulwahhab Abdulrazzaq et al 2016;Warid et al 2017) and a binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) algorithm…”