Impact of Load Profile on the Installation of Capacitor Banks in Conventional and Modern Distribution Grids Considering Provision Cost of Reactive Power

Optimizing the placement of capacitors in conventional and modern electric power systems offers a highly effective means of minimizing energy losses, particularly in distribution systems where power losses surpass those in transmission. The dynamic nature of load levels within such networks significantly impacts the magnitude of energy losses, making the load profile a pivotal factor in determining both the extent of power losses and the ideal locations for shunt capacitors in radial feeders. Nevertheless, incorporating load variability into the capacitor placement problem can significantly increase computational complexity and processing time. Conversely, disregarding it can result in inaccurate calculations of energy losses and, subsequently, suboptimal locations for capacitor banks. Consequently, many specialized studies have opted to omit load variations from their capacitor placement models due to concerns about computational demands and processing time. In this context, present study aims to assess the influence of consumption patterns on capacitor placement plans in modern and conventional networks. The objective is to shed light on the critical importance of considering load variability when striving to reduce power losses cost and reactive power expenditure through optimally placing capacitor banks in the presence and the absence of renewable and distributed energy sources and mobile energy storage systems (MESSs). The analysis is conducted using mathematical programming techniques across a range of distribution systems with and without considering distributed energy resources, renewable energy sources (RESs), and MESS units. Accordingly, the variable nature of RESs and optimal operation of MESSs are coordinated with the capacitor placement plan in the modern system scenario.