Optimal Installation of Wind Turbines to Minimize Energy Losses

Abstract

Over the years, new methods have emerged in order to optimize the installation of wind turbines in distribution systems to meet the loads demand, reduce technical energy losses and avoid exceeding the voltage limits in the system. In this context, an algorithm for the optimal installation of wind turbines in radial distribution systems is presented here. The Genetic Algorithm and the Cuckoo Search are used as optimization methods and, to calculate the power flow, the Sum of Powers Method is used, respecting the voltage limits imposed by ANEEL and not exceeding a 20% wind generation penetration. The segmented annual load curve was used and it was considered that the load curve in all buses and the feeder are the same, as well as the wind speed curve. The analysis of the results has shown that the proposed algorithm has been able to install wind generators reducing the energy losses as well as estimating the investment value of installation and operation of the turbines. The algorithm was applied to three radial test systems (36, 134 and 1080 buses) and was successful in the case studies.