Optimal reactive power flow with distributed generating plants in electric power distribution systems

This paper presents the solution of reactive power flow optimization for electric power distribution systems integrating with distributed generating (Distributed Generator: DG) plants which can support daily load demand. To reduce the total energy losses of the entire system, transformer tap and reactive power injection from available reactive power source are required. The setting of variables based on a particular load demand is to minimize losses by using particle swarm optimization in solving optimal power flow problems. The test system used in this paper is a 6-bus test power system. This study shows that the full adjustment of both transformer taps and reactive power injection is a better approach than adjustment only the transformer taps or the reactive power injection.