Power factor optimization based on manufacturers standards of the capacitors for nonlinear loads

This paper presents a new method employing the penalty function search algorithm to determine the LC compensator value for optimal power factor correction in nonsinusoidal system. The major attribute of the method is that it, unlike conventional approaches, guarantees convergence to the optimal solution. This accomplishment is a direct result from the improvement in (1) the algorithm in which provisions are made to identify and to avoid compensator values which would create resonant conditions, (2) the problem formulation in which the effect of the transmission line impedance on the load voltage is included while calculating the optimal compensator value, and (3) the manufacturer's standard values for power shunt capacitors are taken into consideration. Finally, the contribution of the newly developed method is demonstrated in examples taken from previous publications.