Optimal sizing of capacitors placed on a radial distribution system

A capacitor sizing problem for capacitors placed on a radial distribution system is formulated as a nonlinear programming problem, and a solution algorithm is developed. The object is to find the optimal size of the capacitors so that the power losses will be minimized for a given load profile while considering the cost of the capacitors. The formulation also incorporates the AC power flow model for the system and the voltage constraints. The solution algorithm developed for the capacitor sizing problem is based on a Phase I-Phase II feasible directions approach. Novel power flow equations and a solution method, called DistFlow, for radial distribution systems are introduced. The method is computationally efficient and numerically robust, especially for distribution systems with large r/x ratio branches. DistFlow is used repeatedly as a subroutine in the optimization algorithm for the capacitor sizing problem. The test results for the algorithm indicate that the method is computationally efficient and has good convergence characteristics