Comprehensive learning particle swarm optimization for reactive power dispatch

Reactive power dispatch (RPD) is an optimization problem that reduces grid congestion by minimizing the active power losses for a fixed economic power dispatch. RPD reduces power system losses by adjusting the reactive power control variables such as generator voltages, transformer tap-settings and other sources of reactive power such as capacitor banks and provides better system voltage control, resulting in an improved voltage profile, system security, power transfer capability and over all system operation. In this paper, RPD problem is solved using particle swarm optimization (PSO). To overcome the drawback of premature convergence in PSO, a learning strategy is introduced in PSO, and this approach called, comprehensive learning particle swarm optimization (CLPSO) is also applied to this problem and a comparison of results is made between these two. Three different test cases have been studied such as minimization of real power losses, improvement of voltage profile and enhancement of voltage stability through a standard IEEE 30-bus and 118-bus test systems and their results have been reported. The study results show that the approaches developed are feasible and efficient.