A new approach based on ant colony optimization for daily Volt/Var control in distribution networks considering distributed generators

This paper presents a new approach to daily Volt/Var control in distribution systems with regard to distributed generators (DGs). Due to the small X/R ratio and radial configuration of distribution systems, DGs have much impact on this problem. A cost-based compensation methodology is proposed as a proper signal to encourage owners of DGs in active and reactive power generation. An evolutionary method based on ant colony optimization (ACO) is used to determine the active and reactive power values of DGs, reactive power values of capacitors and tap positions of transformers for the next day. The results indicate that the proposed encouraging factor has improved the performance of distribution networks on a large scale.