Optimal capacitor placement in radial distribution system for loss minimization using particle swarm optimization

Abstract

The primary goal of the project is to minimize the system's power loss. In general, power systems are three - stage process: generation, transmission, and distribution. The distribution system is the final component of the system, it is responsible for providing power to the load. It frequently suffers from excessive power loss, which results in a variety of problems, including unbalanced lines, overloaded transformers, and bypassing meter connections. The distribution system power loss can be decreased by equipping it with capacitor banks. However, the issue is how to choose the optimal capacitor bank and bus for the system. This project presents a particle swarm optimization for capacitor placement in a radial distribution system with the goal of reducing the system active and reactive power losses losses and improving the system voltage profile; prior to installing the capacitor banks in the power system, a power flow analysis was performed to determine the system's power loss and to observe the power losses due to different buses. Particle Swarm Optimization determines the location of the capacitor bank on the node. before installing capacitor banks the Active and reactive power losses increase to 6024.85 kW and 3822.68 Mvar, respectively. The particle swarm optimization algorithm selected 10 power system buses and their capacitor banks. After installing the capacitor bank, the active and reactive power losses of the system decrease to 852.8 kW and 440 kVAr, respectively. as a result, the voltage profile of all the system buses is enhanced.