Framework for multipoint optimal reactive power compensation in radial distribution system with high distributed generation penetration

Reactive power management and voltage control are essential for improved operational performance of distribution system (DS). With increasing distributed generation (DG) penetration in DS, reactive power compensation (RPC) becomes more significant, as most of the renewable-based DGs are not able to supply reactive power. This paper presents new graph-theoretic method for placement of reactive power compensator in radial DS using "average electrical centrality index." The proposed method is efficient with less compute intensive because appropriate location for the compensator is decided by centrality measures, unlike the existing methods that use optimization techniques to determine location. The proposed method is tested in a modified 69-bus radial system to demonstrate its applicability in practice. The robustness of the proposed method is demonstrated in case of renewable generation uncertainty for modified 69-bus radial DS. The performance of the proposed method is compared with existing multipoint RPC methods also.