Optimal Sizing and Setting of Distributed Power Condition Controller in Isolated Multi-Microgrid

In the present research, optimal placement and parameter tuning of an improved custom power device called Distributed power condition controller (DPCC) for enhancing the voltage profile and reducing losses in an isolated multi-microgrid (MMG) under critical situations have been investigated. The relative capacity credit of the intermittent renewable sources is typically 25–50 percent. When a critical situation such as generation reduction, DG outage in each MG, overload or line contingency occurs in the MMG, the voltages at some buses fluctuate more than the allowed level and power losses arise which is harmful to vital applications. In this paper, the butterfly optimization algorithm and grasshopper optimization algorithm are suggested to search the optimal placement and parameter tuning of DPCC for enhancing the voltage profile and reducing losses under critical situations. A modified IEEE 33-bus network with four distributed generation is employed to create a sample isolated MMG. Eleven different case studies in seven scenarios are considered to evaluate the high capability of DPCC in regulating voltage and reduce losses. It is found from theory studies and simulation results that optimal placement and parameter tuning of DPCC successfully improve the MMG performance.