Allocation and Sizing of DSTATCOM with Renewable Energy Systems and Load Uncertainty Using Enhanced Gray Wolf Optimization

Over the last decade, flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) have been crucial in ensuring optimal power distribution within modern power systems. A vital component of FACTS devices is the distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM), which is essential for maintaining a reliable power supply. It is commonly used for reactive power compensation, voltage regulation, and harmonic reduction. Determining the appropriate size and placement of DSTATCOMs is vital to ensuring their efficiency. This study introduces the improved gray wolf optimizer (I-GWO), a refined version of the classical gray wolf optimization (GWO) method. The I-GWO incorporates a dimension learning-based hunting (DLH) strategy to preserve population diversity, balance exploration and exploitation, and prevent the premature convergence of classical GWO. In this research, the I-GWO was applied to determine the optimum allocation and sizing of the DSTATCOMs, considering system constraints, including those presented by the intermittent and stochastic nature of the load and renewable energy resources, specifically wind and solar energy. The suggested approach was successfully tested on 33-, 69-, and 85-bus distribution systems and then compared with existing studies. The results demonstrated the I-GWO-based approach’s superiority in terms of reducing power losses, improving voltage profiles, and enhancing voltage stability.