274 NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, NPSC 2002

Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing on Radial

Distribution System by using Fuzzy Expert System
T. Ananthapadmanabha , K. Parthasarathy , K.Nagaraju , G.V. Venkatachalam

Abstract:--This paper presents a mathematical formulation for METHODOLOGY

placement of capacitor in a radial system by approximate
reasoning using fuzzy set theory. The objectives are to minimize
the real power losses and to improve the voltage profile. Voltage
and power loss indices at each node of distribution system are
modeled by fuzzy membership functions. Then, suitable
candidate node for capacitor placement is determined by using
approximate reasoning. Further, the capacitor is sized for its
optimum capacity. Simulation results shows the advantages of
this system and are encouraging.
INTRODUCTION
Due to limited generation and Trans mission capacities for
accommodating growing loads, reactive power allocation has
received an ever-increasing attention from the electric utility
industry in recent years. Reactive currents will produce losses
and results in increased ratings for distribution system
components. Shunt capacitors are largely used in primary
feeders to reduce energy losses and peak demand, which
releases the KVA capacities of distribution apparatus and also
to improve the system voltage profile. Thus the problem of
optimal capacitor placement consist of determining the
location for placement and sizing of capacitor for its
maximum capacity so that by further increasing size
additional savings are not achieved, while operating
constraints at different loading levels are satisfied.
The proposed methodology can be divided in to two sections.
In the first section, the location for placement of capacitor is
determined by approximate reasoning by using fuzzy set
theory. For determining the location of capacitor the voltage
and power loss at each node will be calculated and are
represented in fuzzy membership function. The fuzzy expert
system (FES) contains a set of rules which are developed
from qualitative descriptions. In a conventional ES system a
rule is either fired or not fired, where as in FES rules may be
fired with some degree using fuzzy inferencing. For the
capacitor placement, rules are fired to determine the
suitability of a node. Such rules are expressed in the
following form.
IF promise, THEN conclusion
For determining the suitability of the node a set of
fuzzy rules have been established. The inputs to the rules are
the voltage drop and power loss indices and the output
consequent is the suitability of capacitor placement. The rules
are summerised in the fuzzy decision matrix in Table – 1.
Fuzzy variables power loss, voltage drop and
capacitor placement suitability are described by the fuzzy
terms high, high medium/normal, medium/normal, low
medium/normal and low. The fuzzy variables described by
linguistic terms are represented by membership functions.
The membership functions are as shown below.

Description of Low Low Medium Medium High Medium High

the variables
Power loss <0.25 0- 0.5 0.25-0.75 0.5-1.0 >0.75

Description of Low Low Normal Normal High Normal High

the variables
Voltage <0.2 0.175-0.375 0.3-0.7 0.675-0.825 > 0.8

Description of Low Low Medium Medium High Medium High

the variables
Capacitor < 0.25 0-0.5 0.25-0.75 0.5-1.0 > 0.75
placement
suitability

Dr. T. Ananthapadmanabha *
Dr. K. Parthasarathy**
K.Nagaraju***
G.V. Venkatachalam ****
* The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore.
** Power Research and Development Consultants Private Limited, Bangalore.
***The Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology. Davangere.
**** Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited, Davanagere
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KHARAGPUR 721302, DECEMBER 27-29, 2002 275

TABLE-1

AND Voltage Drop

High High Normal Normal Low Normal Low
Low Low Med. Low Med. Low Low Low
Low Med. Med. Low Med. Low Med. Low Low
Power Loss Med. High Med. Med. Low Med. Low Low
High Med. High Med. High Med. Med. Low Med. Low
High High High Med. Med. Low Med. Low Med.

The membership functions for the power and suitability
indices are created for ranking. Therefore portions of the
membership function for the power and suitability indices are
equally spaced. The use of FES determines the nodes by
finding a compromise between the possible loss reduction
from capacitor installation and voltage levels.
The following example will demonstrate the
max_prod inferencing membership of FES. Ex: A given node
has a power loss index 0.7 and voltage drop of 0.3 from the
FES inferencing it can be seen that, this node has a medium
and high medium power loss index and low normal voltage.
Following rules are fired from the decision matrix.
(1) If power loss index is Medium AND voltage is High
Normal then suitability is medium.
(2) If power loss index is High Medium AND voltage is
High Normal then suitability is
High Medium.
To aggregate the output of the two rules, the Mamadani
max_prod inferencing technique is applied so that the
resulting membership function is de fuzzyified and suitability
value is 0.68.
The node with highest suitability value is the best node for
capacitor installation.
In the Second Part optimum capacitor sizing is carried in the
following steps
1. After determining the suitable node for the capacitor
installation, a small capacitor unit (Commercially
available) is installed at that node.
2. The peak power loss voltage drops at each node are
calculated by installing the capacitor.
3. The benefits due to reduction in the power demand (KP),
released in feeder capacity (KF), reduced annual energy
losses (KE) and cost of installation of capacitor (KC) are
calculated.
4. The nets savings due to installation of capacitor is given
by NS=KP+KF+KE-KC
5. Another capacitor unit installed at the same location and
net savings are calculated as described above.
6. This procedure is repeated for maximum net savings.
Also voltage constraint is checked for each iteration
(During no load conduction). If the voltage exceeds the
prescribed level then the installation of that capacitor
unit is rejected

The above procedure is applied to each node of the

distribution system and suitability of each node is calculated. The flow chart for maximum savings is as indicated in Fig.1

Solutions Algorithm
Mainly consist of two steps
Step1 Determine power loss and voltage drop at each node and to Determine the suitable node for
capacitor placement using fuzzy expert system
Step2 Size the capacitor for achieving maximum financial benefits

Step1 √3 x Er x D.F x P.F

Peak power loss at each node is calculated as below Where
PPL = 3 x I2 x r x l /1000 Kw KW = Node Active power
Where I= Segment current Er = Receiving end voltage of the segment
r= resistance of the line = 0.584 for rabbit conductor D.F = Diversity Factor.
l= Segment length in kms. P.F. Power factor of the segment.
Segment current can be calculated by adding the nodal The receiving end voltage of the each segment can
current from tail end. be calculated as below
The node current = KW
2
Er= Es + Es - _ (Segment KW x Segment KM )x (r Cos θ + X Sin θ)
2 2 D.F x 1000 x P.F
(For lagging P.F )
Where Es = Supply end voltage of the segment
276
X= Inductance of the circuit
Cos θ = P.F. of the segment
The annual energy losses can be calculated as below
Annual energy losses = PPL x LLR x 8760 units
Where
P.P.L = Peak Power losses in KW
L.L.F = Loss load Factor = 0.2 (LF) x 0.8 (LF)2
Where L.F = Load Factor = Average load
Peak load
or
= Annual energy sent out
peak load x 8760
Finally the voltage regulation of the feeder is given by
% VR = ES –Er x 100
11
Where
Es = Supply end voltage of the segment in KV.
Er = Receiving end voltage of the segment in KV.
After calculating the above, peak power loss and
voltage drop at each node are represented by fuzzy
membership function. The node at which max peak power
loss occurs will have the value 1 and the max voltage drop
node will have the value 1.The peak power losses and voltage
drop at each node were calculated and are linearly normalized
in to a [0,1] range . It is advisable to install the
capacitor at the node with high peak power loss [so as to
reduce max power loss] and the high voltage drop [so as to
improve the voltage profile to the maximum extent]. The
voltage drop and power loss indices are the inputs and the out
put consequent is the suitability capacitor placement by
applying the rules as indicated in the table 1 .The consequent
obtained for each node is recorded and nodes are ranked
according to the suitability value. The node having the high
suitable value will be best location for the capacitor
installation.
Step 2
The best suitable node was determined in the
previous step. The optimal capacitor size to be placed at the
chosen node to be determined for most economic savings in
this step.
In this step a 200KVAR capacitor unit (least rated
commercially available unit) is placed at the chosen node
and varies parameters are calculated due to addition of the
capacitor. The net savings function NS, maximized by this
capacitor sizing algorithm is given by
NS = KP + KF+ KE – KC
Where
KP = Benefits due to released demand (KW)
KF = Benefits due to released feeder capacity
(KVA)
KE = Benefits due to saving in energy (KWH)
KC = Cost of installation of the capacitor.
Commercially available 200KVAR capacitor unit is installed
at the chosen node by adding this unit, reactive power of the
line will be altered. Let the system reactive power (up to the
chosen node from sending end) be Q, and capacitor added be
NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, NPSC 2002
Qc then, new reactive power of the line up to the chosen node
is Q2. That is Q2 = Q-QC
The new P.F = P
P2 + Q22
Released KVA = ∆KF = S– P2 + Q22
Where S = apartment power (original)
By knowing the releasing feeder capacity the benefits due
released feeder capacity can be calculated. Improvement in
P.F. results in improvement in voltage profile causing
reduction in current, which in turn reduces the peak power
loss, and reduction in annual energy losses. The savings of
energy (units) due to additions of this capacitor can be
calculated by deducing the annual energy losses due to
installation of capacitor from the Annual energy losses of the
original system. Thus by knowing the savings of energy due
to capacitor placement , benefits due to energy savings can be
calculated.
Benefits due to Reduced demand
Benefits due to Reduced demand KP = ∆KP x CKP
x iKP
Where
∆KP = Reduced demand (KW)
CKP = Cost of generation / KW (Taken as
Rs 10,000/KW)
IKP = Annual rate for generation cost.
(Taken as 0.2)
Benefits due to released feeder capacity
Benefits due to released feeder capacity KF = ∆KF x
CKF x iKF
Where
∆KF = released feeder capacity
CKF = Cost of the feeder / KVA (Taken as
Rs 1,41,090/KM)
IKF = Annual rate of cost of feeder (Taken
as 0.2)
Benefits due to savings in energy
Benefits due to savings in energy KE = ∆KE x r
Where ∆ KE = savings in energy
∆KE= (Annual energy losses before installing the
capacitor) –
(Annual energy losses after installing the
capacitor.)
r = Rate of energy in Rs / Unit. (Taken as Rs 3/unit)
Cost of installation of capacitor
KC= ∆KC x ICKC x iKC
Where
∆KC = No. of 200 KVAR capacitor units
ICKC = Cost of each 200 KVAR capacitor (Taken
as Rs 40,000/200kvar)
iKC = Annual rate of cost of capacitor (Taken as
0.2)
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KHARAGPUR 721302, DECEMBER 27-29, 2002 277

2
Thus the net savings due to the addition of the Er= Es + Es + Qc x L
capacitor is calculated. 2 2 1000
Further another 200KVAR capacitor is installed at
the same node and net savings due to this is calculated. This Where
procedure is repeated up to the size that there is no additional QC= Installed capacitor in KVAR
net savings. L = Length of the line from sending end
Es = Supply end voltage in KV.
Checking the constraint for voltage Limit volition
The voltage of all sections shall be below the This constraint is checked before proceeding to the
statutory upper limit at light load condition. The voltage at next steps. If the % VR is > 6% then the installation of the
the section of installation of capacitor may go beyond the capacitor is rejected.
prescribed limit at light loads. This constraint has to be
checked before proceeding to the installation of capacitor System Studied
unit. The described method is applied to 11 KV, 21 bus
The approximate voltage due to installation of the radial distribution system as shown below.
capacitor at no load is given by

MUSS 11KV Gopanahally Feeder

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

The input data of the existing system is as below

From node To Node Node KVA Node KW Segment Conductor Resistance
At 0.8 pf Length Type In ohms
1 2 251 200.08 0.39 Rabbit 0.584
2 3 63 50.40 0.42 Rabbit 0.584
3 4 100 80.00 0.12 Rabbit 0.584
4 5 63 50.40 0.3 Rabbit 0.584
5 6 151 120.80 0.36 Rabbit 0.584
6 7 263 210.40 0.48 Rabbit 0.584
7 8 163 130.40 0.48 Rabbit 0.584
8 9 263 210.40 0.78 Rabbit 0.584
9 10 325 260.00 0.40 Rabbit 0.584
10 11 263 210.40 0.78 Rabbit 0.584
11 12 163 130.40 0.18 Rabbit 0.584
12 13 188 150.40 0.24 Rabbit 0.584
13 14 263 210.40 0.24 Rabbit 0.584
14 15 163 130.40 0.3 Rabbit 0.584
15 16 263 210.40 0.48 Rabbit 0.584
16 17 188 150.40 0.24 Rabbit 0.584
17 18 126 100.80 0.72 Rabbit 0.584
18 19 163 130.40 0.3 Rabbit 0.584
19 20 125 100 0.48 Rabbit 0.584
20 21 163 130.40 0.54 Rabbit 0.584

After calculation of the node voltage and power loss indices, the FES determines that node 11 has a high power loss and
normal voltage level. The defuzzifide suitability index indicated at node 11 is the most suitability location for capacitor
installation. The optimum size of capacitor is found to be 1200 KVAR. The comparison of savings and voltage due to various
size of capacitor are as followings.
278 NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, NPSC 2002

Abstract of Results by placing different sizes of capacitors at node 11

Particulars With With With With With With 1200 With1400

200KVA 400KVAR 600KVAR 800KVAR 1000KVAR KVAR KVAR
R Capacitor Capacitor Capacitor Capacitor Capacitor Capacitor
Capacito
r
Power Factor 0.8504 0.8989 0.9420 0.9756 0.9956 0.09993 0.9861
(leading) (leading)
Released Demand 5.3 9.60 12.92 15.22 16.49 26.43 25.94
(∆KP) in KW
KP in Rs. 10,606 19,205 25,831 30.438 32,979 52,855 51,889
Released KVA 113 209 287 343 374 380 360
KF in Rs. 3,876 7,169 9,845 11,766 12,829 13,035 12,349

Energy Saved in 12,876 23,317 31,362 36,955 40,041 64,173 63,000

units / annum

KE in Rs. 38,62 69,951 94,086 1,10,865 1,20,123 1,92,519 1,89,000

8
Cost of capacitor 8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000
installation (KC)
Net savings 45,110 80,325 1,05,761 1,21,068 1,25,931 2,10,409 1,97,238
(NS) in Rs.
V.R. at Tail End 5.95 5.44 5.05 4.78 4.63 -2.15 -2.24
No load voltage at 11.0814 11.1616 11.2407 11.3188 11.3958 11.4718 11.5468
capacitor bank

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed technique presents a mathematical

formulation for capacitor placement in a radial system by REFERENCE:
approximate reasoning using fuzzy expert system it offers
following advantages. (1) MMA Salama, AY Chikhani, R. Hakman “Control of reactive power in
distribution system with an end load and fixed load condition” IEEE
Transactions on PAS-104, No. 10, October 1985.
(1) Simple mathematical formulas are used for the (2) MMA Salama and AY Chikhani “An expert system for reactive power
calculation and power loss, voltage at each node instead control of distribution system” IEEE transactions on power deliver,
of load flow. Vol. 7, No. 2, 1992
(3) MMA Salama and AY Chikhani “A simplified network approved to the
(2) In many analytical approaches, the locations and sizes of VAR control problem for radial distribution system” Part I & II IEEE
capacitors calculated will not match the physical Transactions on power delivery vol.8, No. 3, 1993. IEEE transaction on
locations of nodes and the discrete sizes of availability power Vol. 10, No. 3, August 1995.
capacitors. There solution will need to the rounded up or (4) MMA Salama and AY Chikhani “Capacitor Allocation by approximate
reasoning fuzzy capacitor placement”. IEEE transactions on power
down to the nearest node position and capacitor size. delivery Vol. 115, No.1, January 2000.
This method finds most suitable placement for capacitor
installations, which are actual physical node locations in
the system and desecrate sizes and capacitors are also
considered.
(3) In this method the loss reductions and the voltage profile
are considered simultaneously when deciding the node
for capacitor placement. Hence a good compromise of
loss reduction and voltage profile improvement is
achieved.
(4) This method does not require training of data and will
never have convergence problems.
(5) Most simple and flexible. This can be easily be adapted
for expansion and operation plans of distribution system.