This paper presents a model to be applied to the optimal placement of capacitors in power distribution feeders. The proposed model has linear objective function, linear constraints, continous variables, and binary variables, being represented by a mixed integer linear programming. In this way, the optimal solution can be found faster and with less computational effort using methods suited for linear problems. In addition, the model allows the determination of the optimal tap for each distribution transformer thus minimizing voltage violations and at same time increasing the possibilities of tap adjustment. The objective function to be minimized represents the total cost of the investment (acquisition, installation and removal) and the operation costs (associated to maintenance and voltage violations). Operational constraints describing the equipment capacities are considered along with financial and logical constraints. These constraints are introduced to reduce the search space of the optimization procedure. The hourly load variation is considered through a simplified approach which allows to represent the specific transformer characteristics in an individual basis. The operation status of each capacitor bank is determined together with the solution of the optimization problem. Thus, these equipments are only switched on when they are actually needed. Finally, the proposed model is validated through an application example of a medium voltage distribution network, which also permits to assess the model overall performance.
power distribution; power distribution planning; voltage regulation; mixed integer programming
