INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview
Complexity of the modern power system is increased due to stressed conditions in a distribution
networks, exponential increment in population and high ongoing demands on power grids are
major concern of the design engineers with every passing day. As per Indian scenario significant
part of the system losses (around 21%) are distribution losses. Distribution automation is a
potential solution for reduction of these losses, which contain the placement of compensating
devices and better optimal designs and configurations of the distribution networks through
reconfiguration.
The main purpose of electric power system is to efficiently generate, transmit and distribute
electrical energy. Figure 1 shows the simple diagram of the power system network, It is clearly
observed from this that the power flows from bulk power generating units to the end user through
two imperative networks which are transmission and distribution networks. As the load demand
was not much in the past, the system was on at ease but in present scenario exponential increment
in the population and growing demands ignited the need for steady power supply with minimum
power interruption and fast supply restoration.
To meet these demands the automation of distribution system is widely adopted. The
distribution system is the most visible and important part of the supply chain and as such the most
exposed to the critical observation of its users, these observations are based on the reliability and
availability of the power supply at their end. A power engineer is always aim to design optimal
planning and control strategies. The strategies and designs are related with the all three sub parts
of the power system i.e. generation, distribution and transmission. The most critical and important
part of the design is related with the distribution side as it is directly connected with the customers.
Distribution system design involves large investments, maintenance and operation issues,
amalgamation of these objectives with supply constraints make the design problem a combinatorial
optimization problem.

Power losses are major consideration while imparting the optimal design of transmission or
distribution network however in the transmission line 4-5% power is lost due to physical constraint
of the line and voltage limit. As per CEA reports [2] 2012-2013, Aggregated Transmission and

Commercial loss or ATC loss is 27%. This ATC loss actually consists of distribution loss and loss
due to power theft, transmission losses in 2012-13 were 23.65%.
Power losses are characterized as follows:
No load Losses (transformer magnetizing currents etc.)
Load Losses (I2R losses)
Reactive losses (poor power factor, transformer reactive losses)
Regulation losses (voltage drops)
Non technical or commercial losses (illicit connection, poor collection and poor metering)

Fig. 1 Distribution Network with Capacitor bank

Power system losses components are described in the preceeding section, how much and how
many loss components are contributing in total system losses is a matter of investigation and
have an important knowledge for any design engineer.
1.2 System Loss Component:
Table I shows the system losses component in various parts of power network it is quite clear
from the table that major part of the system losses is consist of distribution losses, as per
pabla et.al. the around 47 % of the system losses are consist of distribution side. Recent CEA
reports also validate the same analogy.

TABLE I Total system Losses

Section
Generation step up transformers and
Generation

11.58

transmission sub-station
transmission and sub- transmission lines

20.66

Sub-transmission or grid sub-stations

12.85

Primary feeders and line equipment

25.27

Distribution transformers

17.22

Secondary and service lines and grounds

11.82

Transmission

Distribution

Losses (in %)

Meters

0.6

I2R loss components for various equipment in various sections of power network are shown
here:
Watt Losses(I2R)
Switchgear (33 to 66 kV)

.005-.02%

Transformers

.40-1.90%

Load Break Switces

.003-.025%

Busway(440 V and below)

.05-.50%

Low- voltage switchgear

.13-.34%

Motors 1-15 HP

14-35%

20-200 HP

6-12%

200-1500 HP

4-6%

As per the data shown here it is emperical to judge that most inductive loads like motor loads
of high ratings are the main contributors in power losses , however small amount of loss
components are added by switch gear, transformers and other accessories . It is concluded that
the distribution side is the main contributor in the loss component of the power network.Any
perfect system design should have an aim of loss minimization in the network, which not only
ensure efficient power supply but also relaible operation of the power networks.

To address the problem of loss minimization many techniques are reported in literature as
optimal placement of distributed generation, network feeder reconfiguration however the most
classical and well adpated approach in loss minimization is capacitor placement.capacitor
banks are installed in power systems for voltage support, power factor correction, reactive
power control, loss reduction, system capacity increase, and billing charge reduction. This
process involves determining capacitor size, location, control method, and connection type
(Wye or Delta). The main effort usually is to determine capacitor size and location for voltage
support and power factor correction. Secondary considerations are harmonics and switching
transients.

1.3 Methodology
There are different methods for determining capacitor size and location.

1. The most common method (intuitive) is based on rules of thumb followed by running
multiple load flow studies for fine-tuning the size and location. This method may not yield the
optimal solution and can be very time consuming and impractical for large systems.
2. The second method is to use the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) program to optimize the
capacitor sizes based on the candidate locations selected by the loss sensitivity factors. This
method requires per-selected locations, since OPF can optimize the capacitor sizes but not the
locations.
3. The most effective method is to use the Optimal Capacitor Placement (OCP) program to
optimize capacitor sizes and locations with loss minimization considerations. OCP employs a
genetic algorithm, which is an optimization technique based on the theory of nature selection.

This dissertation is an effort to present the above said analysis in a very meaning ful manner,
in chapter II state of art literature review is presented , on the basis of literature survey research
objectives are formed .Chapter III describes problem formulation. Details of genetic algorithm
is explained in chapter IV, chapter V exhibit simulation results of 14,30 and 33 bus test system.
Chapter VI conclude the work carried out by showing the findings and future scope of
thiswork.