Optimal capacitor placement in distribution system using genetic algorithm

The placement of shunt capacitor banks at optimal locations in the distribution network and their sizing can effectively reduce the losses in the utility network. It also helps in the maximum active power flow through the existing distribution lines which. This also increases the power transfer capacity of feeders and improves the voltage profile of the feeders which leads to reduced investment of transmission network. This paper presents a method for optimal placement and sizing of the capacitors in radial distribution feeder using Genetic algorithm (GA) with an objective of loss reduction and voltage profile improvement. The results have been validated using MATLAB programming. An IEEE 33-bus distribution test feeder is employed for testing the proposed algorithm. The optimal sizing of the capacitors has been suggested in terms of the kVAr.