Applying an evolutionary strategy for multiobjective optimization of capacitor banks allocation in distribution feeders

This paper aims at applying the Evolutionary Strategy (ES) to capacitor banks optimal allocation problem in the case of multiobjective optimization. The multiobjective optimization includes several objectives such as power losses, capacitor costs and voltage deviation. The multiobjective optimization problem consists of conflicting objectives which need to be simultaneously optimized. Some other constraints are also considered. In the paper the following is proposed: the ES mutation operator adapted to the optimization problem, individual coding and generating of the initial population and finally, the mutation operator adapted to the optimization problem with discrete variables. The proposed approach has been evaluated on the test radial feeder and simulation results have been compared with those existing in the literature.