Bacterial foraging solution based fuzzy logic decision for optimal capacitor allocation in radial distribution system

This paper proposes a novel methodology for the optimal location and sizing of shunt capacitors in radial distribution systems. This method is based on a fuzzy decision making which using a new evolutionary method. The capacitor placement optimization problem includes: minimizing the cost of peak power, reducing energy loss and improving voltage profile. The installation node is selected by the fuzzy reasoning supported by the fuzzy set theory in a step by step procedure. Also an evolutionary algorithm known as bacteria foraging algorithm (BFA) is utilized in solving the objective multivariable optimization problem and the optimal node for capacitor placement is determined. The proposed approach is applied to 34-bus distribution system as a test study and the results are compared with previous method. The results show that this method provides more economic solution by reducing power losses, energy loss, total required capacitive compensation and show a good improvement in nodes voltage to be in the requested range. Comparison between the proposed method in this paper and similar methods in other research works shows the effectiveness of the proposed method for solving optimum capacitor planning problem. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.