Reactive Power Optimization And Voltage Control In Distribution Networks

Reactive power optimization is one of the most important control methods to ensure power system operation securely and economically, and an effective measure to improve the voltage quality and reduce the transmission loss. Study on reactive power optimization has the great significance in theory and practical application.Firstly, a brief overview of the history and current status of the research on reactive power optimization in distribution networks is made, especially the traditional algorithm of reactive power optimization (Nine-Zone Diagram). With the improvement of the automation of power systems and the development of power market's reform, it's possible and nessary to perform the united voltage/var control in distribution networks. Intelligent method has been widely used in reactive power optimization because of its superiority in solving the large-scale nonlinear programming problem. A new intelligent algorithm , particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, is adopted to solve the reactive power optimization. Optimization results in PSO and GA algorithm are compared to show the superiority of PSO algorithm in this problem.Now more and more utilities put their attentions on the improvement of power quality of customers. In order to realize the reactive power optimization and voltage control effectively, a novel frame of optimal Voltage/Var control system is presented according to the requirement of national power utility about science and technology demonstration-county.A realistic optimal Var control system, which is developed based on the novel frame, is applied in Hai men networks. The optimization results demenstrate the superiority of the novel frame of optimal var control and certify the practicability of the optimal Var control system.