Optimal Planning and Operation of Static VAR Compensators in a Distribution System with Non-linear Loads

This paper presents an innovative design for the optimal sizing, placement, and dispatch approach of Distribution Static Var Compensators (D-SVCs) in a radial power distribution system to improve the technical and economic aspects of
the grid. The approach incorporates the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) effects into the assessment with the presence of non-linear loads. A Multi Particle Swarm Optimization (MPSO) algorithm is also proposed, at first to select the placement and size and then to select the dispatch strategy of D-SVCs. Three IEEE test systems were used for the case study to show the efficacy of the method. The results reveal that the approach is viable and it determines the cases where the highest savings were achievable fulfilling the grid voltage and THD constraints.