Optimal Placement and Sizing of Multiple Distributed Generators in Distribution Networks Using an Adapted Equilibrium Optimizer

This paper presents an Adapted Equilibrium Optimizer (AEO) for determining the optimal placement and sizing of distributed generators (DGs) in radial distribution networks (RDNs). To minimize total active power losses and maximize voltage profiles, the proposed metaheuristic algorithm was comprehensively evaluated across benchmark IEEE 33-Bus and 69-Bus test systems and a real-world Portuguese 94-node distribution network, incorporating different deterministic and stochastic types and numbers of DGs. In terms of solution quality, a comparative analysis indicates that the proposed AEO either surpasses or matches existing optimization methods, including exhaustive search, suggesting near-global optimality. The simulation results reveal high loss reduction factors of up to 98% and polar voltage profiles close to the unit circle (radius = 1 pu), demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed AEO in determining the optimal allocation of DGs. Furthermore, a thorough techno-economic analysis demonstrated that the optimized integration achieved significant annual energy savings (AES) of up to 98.11%, highlighting the considerable economic viability of the proposed method.