Decision theory criteria for capacitor placement in unbalanced distribution systems

In this paper, Decision Theory criteria are applied to select the optimal allocation and the sizing of capacitors in unbalanced systems with the presence of harmonic sources, also taking into account the uncertainties due to the presence of unbalanced loads. The Decision Theory is a valuable tool for distribution engineers that have to deal with financial costs and with uncertainty. The financial costs must include, in the most general case, at least initial investment cost, Joule losses costs, quality costs; the uncertainties should refer at least to non linear and linear load scenario, also including issues due to deregulation. A case study referred to the IEEE 13-node test feeder is presented and discussed.