Optimal siting of capacitors in distribution grids considering electric vehicle load growth using improved flower pollination algorithm

Abstract

The optimal VAr compensation using capacitor banks (CBs) in radial distribution networks (RDNs) is solved in this paper while taking the growth of the load from electric vehicles (EVs) into consideration. This is accomplished by adapting an improved variant of the flower pollination algorithm (IFPA) with an enhanced local search capability. The primary objective of determining the locations and sizes of CBs is to minimize the distribution losses in the operation and control of RDNs. Additionally, the effect of CBs is shown by the increased net savings, greater voltage stability, and improved voltage profile. A voltage stability index (VSI) was used in the optimization process to determine the predefined search space for CB locations, and a double-direction learning strategy (DLS) was then considered to optimize the locations and sizes while maintaining a balance between the exploration and exploitation phases. Three IEEE RDNs were used to simulate various EV load increase scenarios as well as typical loading situations. According to a comparison with the literature, the IPFA produced global optimum results, and the proposed CBs allocation approach demonstrated enhanced performance in RDNs under all scenarios of EV load growth.