Thyristor controlled reactors for reactive power compensation in radial distribution feeders: a developed approach

Abstract

This paper proposes a new approach using a newly heuristic technique for optimal capacitor placement on radial distribution feeders. This technique is modified to allow for the use of fixed capacitor thyristor controlled reactor (FCTCR) for loss reduction and voltage profile improvement for radial distribution feeders. The paper concentrates on the contribution and use of static var compensator (SVC) for the minimization of distribution feeder's losses, rather than using fixed or switched capacitors alone. The SVC can respond continuously to the load variation ensuring a maximum reduction of active losses at all load levels. The proposed method has been tested for two radial distribution feeders available in the literature with superior results. The effect of load variation is also studied and results show that the method leads to reducing losses during different load levels.