Voltage regulator placement in radial distribution system using plant growth simulation algorithm

Abstract

This paper presents selection of optimal locations and sizes of voltage regulators in radial distribution system using Plant Growth Simulation Algorithm (PGSA). Voltage has always been considered as an integral part of the power system response. There are several factors, which contribute to voltage collapse such as increased loading on distribution feeders, reactive power constraints, on load tap changer dynamics and load characteristics. The proposed method for voltage regulator placement is suitable for large radial distribution network. The VR problem consists of two sub problems, that of optimal placement and optimal choice of tap setting. The proposed method deals with initial selection of voltage regulator buses by using power loss indices (PLI). The candidate node identification technique and Plant Growth Simulation Algorithm (PGSA) are used for optimal location and number along with tap setting of the voltage regulators that maintain a smooth voltage profile throughout the network. The aim of this paper is to obtain optimal voltage control with voltage regulators and then to decrease the total cost and losses, to obtain the maximum net savings. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated with 33 bus and 69 bus radial distribution systems and these results are compared with Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization method.

International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 6, 2010, pp. 207-217