Optimal shunt capacitor sizing for distribution systems with multiple nonlinear loads

A mathematical model is developed and a solution method is presented for reactive power compensation of distribution circuits having nonlinear loads. Both additional power losses and increase in RMS voltages due to harmonic current flows are incorporated in the problem formulation. It is shown that the capacitor sizes and locations when nonlinear loads are present in a system can be quite different from those found by neglecting harmonic components. It is shown that significant loss reduction and improvement in voltage distortion levels can be achieved when taking harmonic components into account