Improving the Performance of a Realistic Distribution Network in Kirkuk by Integrating a Distributed Hybrid System

Abstract

This study determines the causes and possible solutions to an actual problem suffers due to the distribution network of Al-Shajara village, a rural feeder in Kirkuk, north of Iraq. It is a radial distribution system with an approximate length of 27 km and is distributed with a system voltage of 11 kV. Consequently, the consumers fed through this feeder are getting excessive voltage drops together with line losses and frequent outages in the power supply. The research works to build a hybrid system of Distributed Generation (DG) based on renewable energies available in the study area are solar energy, hydropower and batteries to cover the energy demand and improve system performance. Moreover, Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS) software connected to MATLAB via an OpenDSS COM server is used to analyze the power flow in the distribution system, while AotoAdd optimization technology is also used to determine the optimal location for the integration of Distributed Generators (DGs) and Shunt Capacitors (SCs). The simulations of the proposed system have been carried out under three different loads according to two scenarios which are the connected mode and the island mode. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed techniques as well as improved the voltage profile to be within the standard limits in all buses, greater than 0.95 pu and less than 1.05 pu. Furthermore, the percentage reduction of power losses has reached 97% at full load. Additionally, the results proved that the island mode is superior to the connected mode. © 2023, International Journal of Renewable Energy Research. All Rights Reserved.