Design of reactive power compensators for distribution systems with harmonic distortion

• Published in: Journal of the Chinese Institute of Engineers 1994-04, Vol.17 (3), p.357-366
• Main Authors: Hsu, Cheng-Ting, Yan, Yih-Her, Chen, Chao-Shun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: harmonic distortion factor; harmonic filters; reactive power compensators
• ISSN: 0253-3839; 2158-7299
• DOI: 10.1080/02533839.1994.9677599

The objective of this paper is to derive a systematic algorithm to decide the optimal location and size of shunt capacitors and filters for distribution systems with harmonic distortion. In this paper, the problem of reactive power compensation is first formulated as a nonlinear programming of minimization of real power loss and capacitor cost under voltage constraint to decide the optimal locations and sizes of shunt capacitors. The harmonic load flow is then applied to solve the total voltage harmonic distortion factor (HDF). Finally, the tuning frequency of the single-tuned filter and the capacity and voltage ratings of the corresponding reactor and capacitor are determined so that both the harmonic distortion and the reactive power compensation can be solved simultaneously. To demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed methodology, a practical distribution feeder with nine large industrial customers is selected for computer simulation. It is concluded that proper design of harmonic filters should be undertaken to solve the harmonic resonance problem, as well as the reactive power compensation for distribution systems with nonlinear loads.