Fuzzy-Based Multi-Objective Optimal Allocation of Capacitors and DSTATCOMs to Minimize Installation Cost and Power Loss and Improve Voltage Profile by Optimal Control of Fuzzy Parameters

Abstract

Reducing power losses and improving voltage profile are among the most important concerns of the distribution network operators. Since the cause of the mentioned challenges is the lack of reactive power, these problems can be solved by installing reactive power compensators such as capacitors and DSTATCOMs. On the other hand, considering that the installation of reactive power resources based on just a few peak hours causes overdesigned and uneconomical project, a solution should be provided for the optimal allocation of these resources based on all hours of the study period. In this paper, a method based on fuzzy logic is developed to optimally allocate the reactive power compensators by considering the amount of network load in all hours of the study period. Another unique feature of the developed method is that the simulation time is very short due to the lack of need to run multiple load flows to calculate network variables. Therefore, as the first innovative contribution, the optimal allocation of capacitors and DSTATCOMs is done using a developed method based on standard fuzzy logic. Then, as the second contribution, fuzzy membership function parameters have been optimized and the developed method has been improved. The results showed the efficiency of the developed method to optimally allocate capacitors and DSTATCOMs in distribution network. Optimizing the fuzzy membership functions parameters reduced the total costs (improved the voltage profile) by 2.4%, 4.4% and 6% (by 1.3%, 3% and 3.7%), respectively, by installing one, two and three capacitors and DSTATCOMs.