Flower Pollination Algorithm for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Distribution Systems

Abstract

In this article, a new and powerful algorithm called the flower pollination algorithm is proposed for optimal allocations and sizing of capacitors in various distribution systems. First, candidate buses for installing capacitors are suggested using loss sensitivity factors and the voltage stability index. Then the proposed flower pollination algorithm is employed to deduce the locations of capacitors and their sizing from the elected buses. The objective function is designed to reduce the total cost and, consequently, to increase the net savings per year. The proposed algorithm is tested on 10-, 69-, and 118-bus radial distribution systems. The obtained results via the proposed algorithm are compared with other algorithms to highlight the benefits of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the results are introduced to verify the effectiveness of the suggested algorithm to minimize the losses and total cost and to enhance the voltage profile and net savings for various distribution systems and different loading conditions.

Keywords:

• flower pollination algorithm
• optimal capacitor locations
• loss sensitivity factors
• voltage stability index
• distribution systems

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz

Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in electrical engineering from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, in 1985 and 1990, respectively, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering according to the channel system between Ain Shams University, Egypt, and Brunel University, UK, in 1996. He is currently a professor of electrical power engineering at Ain Shams University. He is the chair of IEEE Education Society chapter in Egypt, a senior editor of Ain Shams Engineering Journal, editor of Electric Power Components and Systems Journal and a member of the editorial board, and a reviewer of technical papers in several international journals and conferences. He is also a member of IET and the Egyptian subcommittees of IEC and CIGRE’. He has been awarded many prizes for distinct research and international publishing from Ain Shams University, Egypt. He has authored or co-authored more than 240 refereed journal and conference papers in his research areas, which include the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and evolutionary and heuristic optimization techniques to power system operation, planning, and control.

Ehab S. Ali

Ehab S. Ali received his B.Sc. (with honors), M.Sc., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Zagazig University, Egypt, in 1997, 2001, and 2006, respectively. He has been working as an assistant professor in the Electric Power and Machine Department, Zagazig University, Egypt, since October 2013. He is a reviewer of technical papers in several international journals and conferences. He has been awarded many prizes for distinct research and for international publishing from Zagazig University, Egypt. He has authored or coauthored more than 85 refereed journal and conference papers in his research interests, which include power system dynamic stability, flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), optimal location of capacitors in distribution systems, load frequency control, speed control of DC and AC machines, renewable energy, economic dispatch, and applications of AI and optimization techniques.

Sahar M. Abd Elazim

Sahar M. Abd Elazim received her B.Sc. (with honors), M.Sc., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Zagazig University, Egypt, in 2000, 2006, and 2010, respectively. She has been working as an assistant professor in the Electric Power and Machine Department, Zagazig University, Egypt, since August 2015. She is a reviewer of technical papers in several international journals and conferences. She has been awarded many prizes for distinct research and for international publishing from Zagazig University, Egypt. She has authored or co-authored more than 57 refereed journal and conference papers in her research interests, which include power system dynamic stability, FACTS, optimal location of capacitors in distribution systems, load frequency control, speed control of DC and AC machines, renewable energy, economic dispatch, and applications of AI and optimization techniques.