In this paper, the sizing and allocation of a fixed capacitor as a reactive power compensation device for a distribution network is studied. One is where the capacitor is installed and the other is that what the size of the capacitor is.
Is reactive power compensation an optimization problem?
Mathematical formulation The reactive power compensation has been analyzed mainly as an optimization problem restricted to a single objective, which would provide a single optimal solution with a priority approach based on the adequate selection of capacity and location of capacitor banks.
Reactive power is either generated or consumed in almost every component of the system. Reactive power compensation is defined as the management of reactive power to improve the performance of AC systems. Why reactive power compensation is required? 1. To maintain the voltage profile 2. To reduce the equipment loading 3. To reduce the losses 4.
Static reactive power compensators can maintain a pre-programmed stable voltage level.
Use of capacitive (shunt compensation) on various part of the power system improves power factor, Reduce power losses, improves voltage regulation and increased utilization of equipment. Reference: Electric power generation, Transmission and distribution by Leonard L.Grigsby. Power system supply or consumes both active and reactive power.
Having said the types of compensation, in this article we are going to discuss mainly about Shunt compensation using Capacitor bank. Since most loads are inductive in nature they consume lagging reactive power, so the compensation required is usually shunt capacitor bank. Shunt capacitors are employed at substation level for the following reasons:
Why does a distribution grid in half voltage have no capacitive compensation?
This is because the distribution grid in half voltage has no other type of capacitive compensation because the distribution grids have short distances for the transport of energy, voltage levels below 34.5 kV and the largest component of conductors are bare wires.