Optimal allocation of capacitor banks in distribution systems using particle swarm optimization algorithm with time-varying acceleration coefficients in the presence of voltage-dependent loads

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a novel solution algorithm is presented for the capacitor allocation problem in radial distribution systems according to the type of load model with the primary objective of power loss minimisation and network savings maximisation. The voltage-dependent load model considers three types of demands, namely industrial, residential, and commercial. Loss sensitivity factors and particle swarm optimisation with time-varying acceleration coefficients (TVAC-PSO) are employed to optimise the location and size of the capacitors, respectively. The loss sensitivity factors identify the sequence of buses to be compensated by the placement of capacitors. The feasibility of the presented method is evaluated on standard 34 and 85-bus radial distribution systems. The results of the comparative study suggest that our proposed algorithm outperforms the existing heuristic techniques in solution quality and convergence speed, which renders it viable and applicable for implementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Network saving maximisation
• capacitor placement
• real power loss minimisation
• voltage-dependent loads
• particle swarm optimisation with time-varying acceleration coefficients (TVAC-PSO)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the third batch of young and middle-aged scientific research backbone training object project of Nantong Institute of technology under grant no.zqngg303, and Nantong Institute of technology young and middle-aged backbone teachers (the first batch) training project.

Notes on contributors

Guoliang Chen

Guoliang Chen was born in Jining City, Shandong Province. P.R. China, in 1981.He received the master’s degree from Nanjing University of Science & Technology, P.R. China. He works in Nantong Institute of Technology .His research interests include artificial intelligence, electrical control and photovoltaic power generation technology.

Jinfeng Zhang

Jinfeng Zhang was born in Jining, Shandong Province in 1981. She received a master's degree from Jiangsu University in 2011. She works in Shanghai Technical lnstitute of Electronics & Information, her research areas include web front-end development, Internet of Things technology.

Masoud Taleb Ziabari

Masoud Taleb Ziabari is a PhD in Control and System Engineering in Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. His research interests include Nonlinear Control, MPC, Power Systems and Robust Control.