A MULTI OBJECTIVE GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR CAPACITOR PLACEMENT IN UNBALANCED AND HARMONIC DISTORTED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

This paper tries to solve a multi objective optimal capacitor placement problem, considering system unbalancing as well as the harmonic distorted nature of distribution systems using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA). By using NSGA, relationship between various components of objective functions, such as total installed capacitors, system unbalancing index and total harmonic distortion level can be obtained clearly. This would result in helpful information that can be utilized to make a reasonable decision on the best tradeoffs between capacitor placement cost, system unbalancing and harmonic distortion level of system. The proposed (NSGA)-based approach is tested on an IEEE 37-bus radial distribution system. The findings clearly demonstrate the necessity of including harmonics in optimal capacitor placement to avoid any possible problems associated with harmonics.