Abstract
A new sensitivity-based approach is formulated in this paper for the optimal placement and sizing of Distributed Generation (DG) units in a practical Distribution Network (DN). The objective is to minimize the network power losses and improve its voltage stability with a user specified number of DG units. The proposed technique is simulated on an 88-bus DN present in a remote island of Norway. Results show that with optimal placement and sizing of DG units, significant reduction in network power losses and subsequent improvement in bus voltage stability is obtained. The simulations are carried out with free and open source software for their applicability by the power utilities.