Salp swarm algorithm applied to optimal capacitor allocation problem in distribution network for annual cost savings

Utilities have been forced to raise the overall efficiency towards a better position in radial distribution systems (DS). From the literature, it has been proved that reactive power compensation performs well in minimizing the PLoss and enhancing the bus voltage profile within the permissible range in radial DSs. This work presents the salp swarm algorithm (SSA) to solve the problem efficiently. The merit of this technique is that it can offer a global or near-global optimum for capacitor siting and sizing. The main intention of this study is to obtain annual financial benefits using the placement and sizing of capacitors optimally. This can however be achieved by minimizing the objective function composed of cost-based power loss and capacitor cost on radial DS considering three different load levels. The proposed technique has been tested on standard IEEE 69 and modified 12 bus systems. Computational results are compared with the results obtained by the previous published work and proved that SSA can minimize the PLoss more effectively thereby financial benefit.