Optimal capacitors sizing in distribution feeders using heuristic search based node stability-indices

• Published in: International journal of electrical power & energy systems Vol. 46; pp. 56 - 64
• Main Authors: Hamouda, Abdellatif, Sayah, Samir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Capacitors; Costs; Distribution feeder; Electric potential; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Feeders; Heuristic; Heuristic method; Miscellaneous; Optimal capacitor size; Optimal compensation; Power loss; Power losses; Power networks and lines; Reduction; Stability index; Voltage; Distribution feeder; Optimal compensation; Optimal capacitor size; Heuristic method; Power losses; Stability index; Electric stress; Optimization method; Implementation; Search algorithm; Dimensioning; Facility location; Fuzzy logic; Electrical network; Economic aspect; Objective function; Capacitor; Investment cost; Distribution network; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0142-0615; 1879-3517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2012.10.016

► Optimal capacitor sizes are determined using a two-stage efficient heuristic method. ► Appropriate capacitor locations are identified using nodes stability-indices. ► Over-compensation is allowed to improve the voltage profile, the economic return as well as power loss reduction. A novel approach to size and locate capacitors in distribution feeders is presented in this paper. The proposed heuristic approach is formulated as a maximisation of a single objective function. This objective function includes both power loss reduction and capacitors investment costs. In this method where the capacitor optimal sizes and locations are decoupled, node stability indices are used to suitably select the capacitor probable locations. The capacitor initial sizes are determined while deriving the objective function subject to some constraints. The usually used voltage constraint has been substituted by a new one made on the reactive branch currents for which positive values (over-compensation) are allowed to improve voltage profile as well as the cost and power loss reductions. The developed algorithm has been implemented on several test systems and the obtained results have been compared with those of authors having used fuzzy logic and other heuristic search methods.