Optimal capacitor placement in radial distribution system using Gravitational Search Algorithm

Power generated in generating station is transmitted through transmission lines and fed to the consumers through distribution substation. The power distributed into the network has losses, which is greater in distribution system compared to transmission system. This problem could be addressed by placing capacitor at strategic location due to which the kW loss can be minimized and the net savings can be maximized. This paper adopts two methods where the first method being the sensitivity analysis and the second method is the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA). Sensitivity analysis is a methodical technique, which is used to reduce the search space and to arrive at an accurate solution for recognizing the locality of capacitors. Capacitor values are allocated for the respective locations using GSA. The overall precision and dependability of the adopted approach were authenticated and verified on few radial distribution network with diverse topologies of varying sizes and complexities and also compared with an analytical Interior Point algorithm and one of the meta-heuristic optimization technique called Simulated Annealing. Computational outcomes obtained showed that the proposed method is capable of generating optimal solutions.