Voltage profile improvement project at Alabama Power Company: a case study

This paper presents the methodology and the results of reactive planning which involves proper coordination between distribution and transmission units of power delivery. The Voltage Profile Improvement Program is a project dedicated to improving the voltage profile at the load buses of the transmission grid in Alabama Power Company's system. Many benefits, such as increased reactive reserves within generators and, consequently, improved voltage regulation from generation, improved voltage stability, alleviation of contingency voltage violations and reduction of system losses, are realized. The yearly plan includes capacitor additions, autobank tap changes and installation of LTC transformers, or the addition of regulators in substations where regulation is not present. Two special tools, an optimal power flow and a reliability assessment program, are utilized to develop this plan.