Improving Power Factor of a Distribution System Using Optimally Sited and Sized Capacitor Bank

Abstract

In distribution systems, the electrical loads are predominantly inductive, resulting in a poor power factor owing to higher reactive power. Hence, there is a requirement to adjust for the reactive power. The goal of this study was to increase the power factor, reduce power loss, and optimise the voltage profile of distribution systems using a modified IEEE 14-bus system as a case study by properly placing and sizing the capacitor bank using the Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) Algorithm. Modifying the inertia weight enhanced the PSO's performance in identifying the solution while reducing the computational cost. The approach was evaluated using a PSAT-modelled and simulated case study to assess the algorithm's overall performance and usefulness in identifying a solution. The simulation results revealed that the system loss was reduced by 3.7%, the voltage profile improved to 1.0 per unit, and net savings were maximised at $57,674.4.