Optimal Placement of Electric Springs in Unbalanced Distribution Networks Using Improved Backward/Forward Sweep Method Based Genetic Algorithm

A novel planning tool for optimizing the placement of electric springs (ESs) in unbalanced distribution networks is introduced in this study. The total voltage deviation is used as the optimization criterion and is calculated when the ESs operate at their maximum reactive power either in the inductive or capacitive modes. The power rating of the ES is adjusted on the basis of the available active power at the bus. And in the optimization problem, it is expressed as the power ratio of the non-critical load (NCL) and critical load (CL). The implemented ES model is flexible, which can be used on any bus and any phase. The model determines the output voltage from the parameters and operating conditions at the point of common coupling (PCC). These conditions are integrated using the backward/forward sweep method (BFSM) and are updated during power flow calculations. The problem is described as a mixed-integer nonlinear problem and solved efficiently using an improved BF-SM-based genetic algorithm, which computes power flow and ES placement simultaneously. The effectiveness of this method is evaluated through testing in IEEE 13-bus and 34-bus systems.