Design of a Real-Time Switching Control Scheme for Capacitive Compensation of Distribution Feeders

A new control scheme for multilevel control of capacitors on radial distribution feeders is developed for implementation by an on-line, substation-based computer. The control objectives are the minimization of radial feeder losses of energy and power. Control is exercised through multilevel switching of existing shunt-connected static capacitors. It is shown howtime-varying load data on existing feeders obtained through measurements at the substation can be taken into account. When reactive-load duration curves can be constructed for existing feeders, it is also shown how to optimally design the control scheme to include fixed and non-simultaneously switched capacitors.