A Novel Optimal Capacitor Allocation and Sizing Technique

The MATLAB code computes the optimal buses on which to install shunt capacitors and the corresponding capacitor sizes for cost reduction.

Installation of capacitive Reactive Power Compensation Devices (RPCDs) such as the conventional shunt capacitors and the modern FACTS controllers (SVC, STATCOM, DSTATCOM) helps in improving power system operating conditions with regards to bus voltages (which are improved), branch currents (which are reduced), branch power losses (which are reduced).

Despite the differences in the type of capacitive RPCDs that's to be installed, the optimal locations on which to install the RPCDs and the corresponding sizes have to be determined while considering a fixed loading operating state. Thereafter, consideration should be given to the load variations so as to determine the switching step sizes / amounts of reactive power for the installed RPCDs.

The given MATLAB code computes the optimal buses on which to install RPCDs (in form of shunt capacitors) and the corresponding shunt capacitor sizes for overall cost reduction in the IEEE 69-Bus Radial Distribution System.