Optimal planning of capacitor in distribution systems considering the reactive power value

A novel method for optimal capacitor planning in distribution systems considering the reactive power value is presented. The economic value of shunt capacitors which decrease the system power loss and release the system capacity and its own energy economic value are analyzed. The general principle to install shunt capacitors is also derived from the economic view. Then, the quantitative unit relationship between reactive power and system loss is induced by simplified analysis using basic principle of electric networks, and the linearization expression of the unit reactive power loss reduction is obtained, then the non-linearization problem of optimal capacitor planning is changed into a linearization expression problem including integer variables. In this new optimization model, both the installing cost and economic value are considered quantitatively. Test results show that the capacitor planning using the presented method is more economic and has better effect compared with other methods.