Optimal capacitor allocation in distribution systems using a genetic algorithm and a fast energy loss computation technique

This paper presents a new approach to shunt capacitor placement in distribution systems having customers with different load patterns. The allocation of capacitors is considered in a system comprising a network of feeders fed from an upstream equivalent transmission system through a substation transformer. The benefits of capacitor placement, such as the system capacity release and reduction of overall power and energy losses, are considered. The fast method of total energy loss calculation based on the computation of the moments of normalized daily load curves is used to calculate the annual energy loss reduction. An example of optimal capacitor allocation in a distribution system is presented in which customers with commercial, urban residential, rural and light industrial load patterns are considered.