Optimal reactive compensation in power systems

Abstract

This article describes a method for planning the type, location and minimum amount of installed reactive capacity necessary for maintaining an acceptable voltage profile in a power system during credible contingencies. The problem is formulated as the minimisation of the cost function representing the total cost of the reactive compensation provided. A mixed integer linear programming technique is used subject to constraints of network reactive power flow and allowable limits on busbar voltages and tap change transformers. A dynamic sensitivity measure is used to adjust the cost coefficients to obtain the best location of the compensating elements. The method is quite flexible in that both inductive and capacitative compensators are included and that the magnitude of the compensation can be treated as discrete and/or continuous variables. Test results, together with comparison with earlier methods, are also presented. © 1982.