Comparative Analysis of Radial and Looped
Distribution Network Against Voltage Stability and
Loadability with Distributed Generation
Saqlain Ahmad M. Junaid Afzal
Department of Electrical Energy Engineering Department of Electrical Energy Engineering
USPCAS-E NUST USPCAS-E NUST
Islamabad, Pakistan Islamabad, Pakistan
saqlainahmad@ieee.org mjunaid.afzal.pk@ieee.org
Abstract— The load growth across distribution networks has
resulted in various technical issues, predominantly voltage
stability and loadability. These issues can be catered more
economically by changing the present system configuration
and/or introducing distributed generation. It is more feasible to
change the system configuration from radial (present
distribution network) into loop (future distribution network)
instead of upgrading the whole network. This paper proposes a
comparison between looped and radial network in terms of
voltage stability and loadability. It also enlightens the impact of
distributed generations (DGs) on both looped & radial
distribution networks. IEEE 33 and 69 bus test systems has been
used for analysis and simulations. Continuation power flow
(CPF) method is used for calculation and analysis of
aforementioned parameters. All Simulations are carried out in
Power System Analysis Toolbox (PSAT) in MATLAB
framework.
Keywords— voltage stability; continuation power flow; looped
distribution network; radial distribution network; Loadability;
I. INTRODUCTION
G rowing world population and rise in living standards
demand more power from the grid which causes a lot of stress
on the conventional power networks. This Gap between supply
and demand of electrical energy can either be met by building
new power plants or by enhancing the capability of existing
power networks. Construction of new plants are costly
alternatives and also require land space for transmission
infrastructure. Now a days, main emphasis is to enhance the
capability of the existing power system. One of the methods to
reduce congestion on transmission networks and to enhance the
capability of the present system is by fulfilling the consumer’s
energy demand locally with the help of distributed generations
(DG). DG sources may be of different types including
traditional such as natural gas turbine and diesel generator,
non-traditional such as fuel cells and energy storage systems
and renewable energy resources such as wind turbine and
photovoltaic(PV) [1-2]. Integration of DGs lowers the burden
on transmission lines, reduces system losses, increases
Syed Ali Abbas Kazmi
Department of Electrical Energy Engineering
USPCAS-E NUST
Islamabad, Pakistan
saakazmi@uspacse.nust.edu.pk
loadability and enhances voltage profile of the system by
feeding the load locally [3, 4].
Loadability of the system is mainly restricted by two factors
i.e. voltage limits and thermal limits. Thermal limits of the
system depend upon the maximum current carrying capacity of
lines, which is determined by their material properties and class
of insulation used [5]. Voltage limits are the maximum and
minimum allowable voltage levels for safe operation of the
power system [6]. These limits are in consideration by
operators for stability of power system networks. Paper [7] has
studied optimal reconfiguration of Distribution Network
aiming at maximization of loadability. Discrete Artificial Bee
Colony has been used for selection of optimal tie switch.
Proposed algorithm was tested on IEEE 33 and IEEE 69 bus
network and compared with voltage stability index-based
method. Paper [8] presents a method for placement of DG in
order to improve voltage profile, reduce power losses, increase
power transfer capability and loading margin. In [9] an
algorithm for placement of DG in IEEE 33 bus radial
distribution network (RDN), based on voltage stability is
presented. Modal analysis and CPF are used to determine the
buses for DG placement. An efficient CPF method based on
forward/backward load flow method and compared with
Newton-Raphson based CPF method is presented in [10].
Paper [11] has used real power margin to rank the buses for
distributed energy resources placement. Index is calculated
using CPF and test system is IEEE 33 bus RDN. A CPF based
new methodology is introduced for placement of multi DG
units into medium voltage Distribution Network for
improvement of voltage stability and loadability in [12]. Test
system is 85 bus RDN. Paper [13] has analyzed voltage
stability of the RDN against its loadability, with Continuation
power flow method.
Analysis for looped distribution network (LDN)
considering distributed generation (DG) is not discussed in
details in literature so far. This research gap provides the
motivation for detailed analysis of LDN. In this paper,
loadability of the LDN is analyzed against voltage stability
limits with the help of CPF method.
 CPF is widely used for static stability analysis of the
system. It determines the distance between the current
operating point and maximum loading point (MLP) of the
system. Jacobian matrix becomes singular when system
reaches MLP but CPF can track voltage with its predictor and
corrector method by introducing the continuation parameter to
singular Jacobian matrix of the system[14].
method to remain well conditioned at bifurcation point.
Working of the CPF method with its predictor corrector
approach to trace P-V or λ -V curve is shown in Fig. 1. At first,
new values are forecasted based on the previous values and
then forecasted value is corrected to get real solution.
C. PSAT (Power System Analysis Toolbox)

The basic terminologies are discussed in section II. Simulations are performed on PSAT developed by F.
Simulation for different cases and its results are presented in Milano [19-20], a MATLAB toolbox use for static and
section III. Section IV carries discussion on simulation results dynamic analysis of power system. Test System is designed in
while key points of conclusion are highlighted in section V. Simulink using PSAT special library and is shown in Fig. 2.
II. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
A. Distribution Network
On structural basis the distribution networks are classified
as radial and looped distribution networks. Traditionally RDN
have passive nature and unidirectional power flow [15].
Integration of DGs and increasing load demands are making it
difficult for existing RDN to maintain stability [16].
Conventional RDN is facing problems like low voltage
regulation, greater system losses and compromised power
quality [17].
In comparison to RDNs, LDNs have better voltage profile
and reliability. LDNs have higher short circuit current and
requires more complex protection, but for continuation of
power flow it is far better option than RDNs for future smart
grid networks [18].

B. Continuation Power Flow(CPF)

During load flow studies, conventional load flow methods
face difficulties in providing solution at bifurcation point. This
particular problem is caused by singularity of jacobian matrix
at bifurcation point. This limitation was solved with the help
of CPF method as it is solvable at bifurcation point[14].
Maximum loading point is the critical point at which power
system can operate, further increment can result in voltage
collapse. CPF is used in static stability analysis of system to
determine the distance between current operating point of the
system and maximum loading point of the system. It gives an
idea to power system operators to determine the amount of
extra load that the system can bear without collapse.
Fig. 2. IEEE 33 radial bus system on PSAT

III. SIMULATIONS
IEEE 33 bus network and IEEE 69 bus network are used
as test systems for simulations.
Three cases are considered.
a. Case 1: Analysis is performed on standard IEEE bus
network without any DG.
b. Case 2: Integration of single DG in test system.
c. Case 3: Integration of two DGs in the test system.

Fig. 1. Predictor corrector approach of CPF.

CPF introduces continuation parameter to the ill jacobian

matrix to avoid singularity which causes the power flow
 TABLE I. IEEE 33 BUS SYSTEM PERCENTAGE CHNAGE IN LOADABILIT AND VOLTAGE

Loading Factor Voltage Magnitude

Value of
IEEE 33 bus % increase in % increase
DG Looped Looped
System Radial Network loadability Radial Network in Voltage
(KVA) Network Network

Without any
- 3.46 3.532 2.04 0.3142 0.437 28.10
DG
With One
3623.9 4.128 12.7 67.50 0.3873 0.4069 4.82
DG
With Two 1313.9
9.825 14.56 32.52 0.4824 0.5336 8.59
DG 2212.3

Fig. 3. IEEE 33 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve without DG. Fig. 5. IEEE 33 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve with 2 DGs

Fig. 4. IEEE 33 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve with one DG.
Fig. 6. Voltage profile of IEEE 33 Bus system.

A. IEEE 33 BUS
The parameters for IEEE 33 bus test system used for
analysis are same as in [13]. For increasing reliability, RDN is
reconfigured to looped network by closing tie switch between
bus 18 and bus 33. For optimal looping there are five possible
tie switches [21]. TS4 is used for looping of the system.
a) Case 1:
Both radial and looped systems are simulated without DG.
Voltage profiles are shown in Fig. 6. The λ-V curves of weakest
buses for both networks are shown in Fig. 3. Loading parameter Fig. 7. Voltage profile of IEEE 69 bus system without DG.
for radial system is 3.46 and for looped system is 3.532.
Weakest bus for both radial and looped system is bus 18. c) Case 3:
In this case, two DGs are integrated in both RDN and
b) Case 2: LDN. For RDN, one DG is placed on bus 18 and the second
In this case, DG of size 3623.1 KVA [13] is integrated at one is placed on bus 33. In case of LDN, second DG is placed
weakest buses for both radial and looped network. Lowest at weakest bus 25 along with DG on bus 18. Lowest bus
value of voltage is 0.3873 for RDN and 0.4069 for LDN as voltages for RDN and LDN are 0.4824 and 0.5336
shown in Fig. 6. Loading parameters are 4.128 and 12.7 for respectively as shown in Fig.6. Loading parameters are 9.825
radial and looped system respectively. The λ-V curves of and 14.56 for RDN and LDN respectively as shown in Fig. 5.
weakest buses for both networks with inserting DG at bus 18
is shown in Fig. 4. Weakest buses for RDN and LDN are now B. 69 bus System
changed to bus 33 and 25 respectively. IEEE 69 bus radial network is simulated in PSAT and its
parameters are taken from [13]. There are five possible tie
Fig. 8. IEEE 69 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve without DG. Fig. 10. IEEE 69 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve with two DGs.

Fig. 9. IEEE 69 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve with one DG. Fig. 11. IEEE 69 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve with one DG.

switches for reconfiguration of radial network into loop

network [22]. This paper uses TS5(tie switch) between bus 27
and bus 65. The branch containing major load of IEEE 69 bus
distribution network is made looped with the help of this tie
switch.
If one feeder is heavily loaded, extra load on that feeder
leads to voltage drop. But if the feeders are interconnected,
some load can be fed by the lightly loaded feeder, hence
improving the stability of power network. Protection of looped
network is more complex but it increases reliability of system.
a) Case 1:
In this case standard IEEE 69 bus radial system is
Fig. 12. IEEE 69 bus system weakest buses λ -V curve with two DGs.
simulated with and without reconfiguration. Voltage profiles
for RDN and LDN are shown in Fig. 7. Loading parameter for
The voltage profiles are shown in Fig. 13. The value of loading
RDN is 3.214 and for LDN it is 3.966 as shown in Fig. 8. In
case of RDN weakest bus is 65 while in case of LDN weakest parameter is 5.458 for RDN and 12.5 for LDN as shown in
bus is 61. Fig. 10.

b) Case 2:
DG having value of 3684.7 KVA is integrated to weakest
bus 65 in case of RDN and on weakest bus 61 in case of LDN.
Voltage profiles for both RDN and LDN are shown in Fig. 13.
Loading parameter of RDN is increased to 9.088 and for LDN
it is 21.03 as shown in Fig. 9. Case 3:
c) Case 3:
Another DG is integrated on the weakest bus resulted from
the previous case. For RDN another DG is placed on bus 27
and for LDN on bus 18.
d) Case 4:
DG of rating 2529.1 KVA is integrated at bus 65 in case of
radial network and on bus 61 in case of looped network. The
voltage profiles are shown in Fig. 14. Loading parameter for
radial network is increased to 9.781 and for looped network it
is 15.75 as shown in Fig. 11.
e) Case 5:
Two DGs are integrated on both RDN and LDN. In RDN
DGs are integrated on the weakest buses 61 and 27, while in
LDN DGs are integrated on buses 61 and 18 as shown in
Fig.14. Loading parameters are shown in Fig. 12.
 TABLE II. IEEE 69 BUS SYSTEM PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN LOADABILITY.

Loading Factor Loading Factor %

IEEE 69 bus Value of % increase in Value of increase
System DG [13] Radial Looped loadability DG [20] Radial Looped in
Network Network Network Network loadability

Without any
- 3.214 3.966 18.96 - 3.214 3.966 18.96
DG
With One
3684.7 9.088 21.03 56.78 2529.1 9.781 15.75 37.90
DG
With Two 3685.1 2328
5.458 12.5 56.34 4.715 10.78 56.26
DG 547.6 400

TABLE III. IEEE 69 BUS SYSTEM PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN VOLTAGE.

Voltage Magnitude Voltage Magnitude

Value % Change Value % Change
IEEE 69
of Radial Looped in of Radial Looped in
bus System
DG [13] Network Network Voltage DG [22] Network Network Voltage

Without
- 0.4695 0.4446 -5.30 - 0.4695 0.4446 -5.30
any DG
With One
3684.7 0.3637 0.3597 -1.10 2529.1 0.4122 0.7052 41.55
DG
With Two 3685.1 2328
0.8431 0.9076 7.10 0.9563 0.9252 -3.25
DG 547.9 400

Fig. 13. Voltage profile of IEEE 69 bus system with DG value from [13]. Fig. 14. Voltage profile of IEEE 69 bus system with DG value from [22].

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Both RDN and LDN experiences increment in voltage
stability with increase in number of DGs with reference to
IEEE 33 bus. To analyze the response of IEEE 33 bus RDN, it
is reconfigured to LDN by closing the tie switch TS4 between
bus 18 and 33. Analysis of looped IEEE 33 bus illustrates that
LDN has better voltage profile and loadability characteristics
than RDN. Integration of DGs on the weakest buses shows that
load ability of RDN and LDN has been increased from 3.42 to
4.128 and 3.52 to 12.7 respectively.
DG placement is also an important parameter for
enhancing voltage stability in LDN and RDN. Congestion on
network lines can be reduced by locally meeting the load. The
current in the distribution lines reduces which not only
improves the voltage profile but can also increase the
loadability of power system. Loading parameter of RDN
increases from 4.128 to 9.825 and 12.7 to 14.56.
There is certainly voltage profile improvement for both
systems. Comparison is shown in TABLE I.
For IEEE 69 bus network without placement of DG the
loading parameters for RDN and LDN are 3.214 and 3.966
respectively. By integrating DG, load-ability of system
increases but voltage profile is dropped as compared to RDN.
Two DG’s are placed having values of 3685.1 KVA and 547.9
KVA at bus 65 and 27 for RDN and LDN. Increment in
number of DGs overall voltage of system is improved but
loadability of the system is decreased. The rating of DGs is
then changed and results are shown in Fig. 13. Fourth and fifth
cases are similar as second and third but value of DG is taken
from [20] i.e. 2529.1 KVA in case of single DG. For two DGs
in RDN, 2328 KVA at bus 65 and 400 KVA at bus 27 are
integrated. For LDN 2328 KVA at bus 61 and 400 KVA at bus
18 are integrated in the system. Results for both values are
compared against percentage change in loadability and voltage
magnitude. Comparison is shown in TABLE II and TABLE
III.
 V. CONCLUSION
A comparison between radial distribution network (RDN)
and looped distribution network (LDN) in context of voltage
stability and loadability is discussed in this paper. CPF method
is used for calculation and analyses of power flow, voltages
and loading parameter of the test systems. Results of 33 bus
network shows that loadability and voltage profile of both
RDN and LDN improves by integrating DG and it further
advances by increasing the number of DGs. Moreover, LDN
shows better performance than RDN with reference to voltage
stability and loadability. Analysis of 69 bus network shows
that loadability of LDN is better than RDN; but the loadability
of both networks decreases when number of DGs are
increased. In most of the cases for 69 bus network, RDN
shows better voltage profile than LDN. This study concluded
that both voltage profile and loadability are highly sensitive to
the rating, placement and number of DGs while LDN shows
overall better characteristics then RDN.
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