An Efficient Approach for Capacitor Sizing and Location on a Radial Distribution System Using Artificial Intelligence Technique

This paper undertakes the problem of optimal shunt capacitor placement for loss reduction in a radial distribution feeder. The objective is to determine the optimum size and location of the capacitors to be placed on a radial distribution system. The objective function is to have maximization of saving due to reduction of energy losses thereby taking into consideration cost of capacitor. The solution methodology used divides the problem into two parts. In first part, load flow solution for the radial feeder is obtained and followed by a loss sensitivity analysis to select the candidate capacitor installation locations. In second part, Genetic algorithm is used as an optimization tool, which obtains the optimal value of capacitors to be installed. The solution algorithms have been implemented into and tested on a 33-bus radial distribution system. Test results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed algorithm. Computational results are calculated in MATLAB 7.