Comparison between conventional, GA and PSO with respect to optimal capacitor placement in agricultural distribution system

Capacitor placement is one of the most important methods in loss reduction and improving the voltage profile of distribution systems. Index, GA and Particle Swarm Optimization methods are used for finding the optimal values of the fixed capacitors in the distribution networks with balanced loading for radial configuration. This methodology is tested on a region of the distribution network of the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Corporation and results are presented. Results are very promising. Particle Swarm Optimization gives better reduction in active power loss with lesser value of capacitor sizes than G.A. and Conventional methods.