Optimal Planning of Multitype DGs and D-STATCOMs in Power Distribution Network Using an Efficient Parameter Free Metaheuristic Algorithm

In a quest to solve the multi-objective optimal planning problem using a simple parame-ter-free metaheuristic algorithm, this paper establishes the recently proposed student psychology-based optimization (SPBO) algorithm as the most promising one, comparing it with the other two popular nonparametric metaheuristic optimization algorithms, i.e., the symbiotic organisms search (SOS) and Harris hawk optimization (HHO). A novel multi-objective framework (with suitable weights) is proposed with a real power loss minimization index, bus voltage variation minimization index, system voltage stability maximization index, and system annual cost minimization index to cover various technical, economic, and environmental aspects. The performances of these three algorithms are compared extensively for simultaneous allocation of multitype distributed generations (DGs) and D-STACOM in 33-bus and 118-bus test systems considering eight different cases. The detailed analysis also includes the statistical analysis of the results obtained using the three algorithms applied to the two test distribution systems. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.