Optimal shunt capacitor allocation and sizing using harmony search algorithm for power loss minimization in radial distribution networks

This study aims to minimize the power loss in radial distribution networks which is realized by injecting reactive power with the aid of shunt capacitors installation at appropriate locations with optimal sizing.   A population based meta-heuristic search algorithm namely Harmony search optimization algorithm is utilized for finding out the optimal rating of shunt capacitors to be placed in the radial distribution networks. A Backward / Forward sweep based iterative power flow technique is adopted to compute the load flow solution. The estimation of voltage stability index value of each bus in the proposed radial distribution systems helps to find the optimal locations of shunt capacitor to be placed for reactive power support and to achieve the loss minimization. The robustness of the proposed methodology for optimal shunt capacitor sizing has been tested on 22 and 119 node test systems. Simulation results reveal that the proposed optimization approach is more efficient in finding optimal solution.