Optimal placement of reactive power compensators in a test radial distribution network

In a distribution system and especially in rural network or industries which are so far from HV substation, it is possible to increase the power quality by compensating of reactive power using var compensators. But these equipments are expensive and need to large scale of investment. This paper presents an applicable method to define the number of static reactive power generating units and their optimal position in radial networks. this method improve voltage profile and power losses. To solve the optimization problem, simulated annealing algorithm has been used to minimize a dual fitness function consist of voltage drop & power losses. The proposed method use an index like interested rate to choose the best number and location of var compensators. Finally, the compensating algorithm is implemented on a test feeder called ldquoseda va simardquo which is one of 20 kVs feeders in Bardsir city, Kerman, Iran. The simulation results using Matlab 2009a are presented which verify the effectiveness of proposed method.