Optimal shunt capacitor placement in power distribution systems using a genetic algorithm

الملخص EN

The problem of optimal placement of capacitors determines the size, type (fixed or switched), and locations of the capacitors to be installed in a radial distribution feeder that will reduce power loss while minimizing the costs of investment and installation of the capacitor banks.

The present work is devoted to determine the optimal locations and sizes of capacitors in radial distribution system with different load levels using a genetic algorithm, taking in consideration the economic saving and cost of the capacitor.

'1’hc optimal capacitor placement consists of problem formulations (based on the load flow equations in distribution system), genetic algorithms and sensitivity factors for a given load pattern.

In the method, capacitor placement is applied to correct voltage deviation, power factor and reduce real power loss.

The capacitor placement problem is a combinatorial optimization problem having an objective function composed of power losses and annual capacitor installation costs subjected to bus voltage constraints, which is commonly solved by employing mathematical programming methods in genetic algorithm to obtain the optimal solution.

Two methods of load flow solution with different accuracy are employed.

The first one is a simplified method, which uses the approximation ofp and Q at the start of the implemented program.

The second is a fast-decoupled technique, which gives an exact solution at the end of the program.

The proposed algorithm has been implemented and tested on three-test systems, 'fhe first and second are theoretical samples (a 69-bus distribution system), while the third test is a practical sample taken from Baghdad distribution network of 11-bus distribution system.

Tests show that GA is suitable algorithm as optimization technique with high accuracy, and avoids local minimum.

Thus, the outcome of the study shows an efficient technique to solve the problem of capacitor placement in the power distribution system.