Reactive power optimization by plant growth simulation algorithm

A new approach based on a plant growth simulation algorithm (PGSA) is presented for reactive power optimization. PGSA is a random search algorithm inspired by the growth process of plant phototropism. The objective function for optimization is to minimize the system active power loss. The control variables are generator bus voltages, transformer tap positions and switch-able shunt capacitor banks. The proposed method was applied to Ward-Hale 6-bus system and better optimization results have been obtained as compared to the previous work.