Reactive Power Planning

 

Reactive Power Planning

The reactive power planning (RPP) is a complex and tedious problem of power systems. as it requires the simultaneous minimisation of two factors or objectives. 

The first aim is to reduce the operation cost by reducing real power loss and improving the voltage profile. The second aim is to reduce the allocation cost of additional reactive power sources.

 

Reactive power planning is a nonlinear optimization problem for economic operation of power system having various uncertainties.

Reactive power is necessary for better operation of power system as it provides charging current. Reactive power is generated locally and consumed locally. 

Reactive power demand increases with the increase in load demand, motor stalling or change in load consumption. During reactive power planning it necessary to pay attention to three problems:

1. When system upgradation is needed?
2. Where to implement the system upgradation ?
3. How much is the reactive power control needed?

Reactive power planning is needed for :

1. Increasing power transfer capability of transmission network.
2. Improvement of power factor
3. Reducing the power  loss
4. Maintaining voltage profile

(A) Static Reactive Power Source

It consist of :

• Shunt capacitor
• Filter bank
• Underground cable
• Transmission lines
• Fuel cells
• Photo volatic system
• Reactors

(B) Dynamic Reactive Power Source

It consists of:

• FACTS devices
• Synchronous condenser
• Synchronous generators
• Static voltage compensators

Absence of reactive power results into voltage collapse. So optimal reactive power dispatch is necessary for proper operation of power system.

Control variables for optimal reactive power dispatch are

• Generator voltage
• Tap ratios of transformer
• Static VAR sources

Optimal reactive power dispatch is done by conventional and non-conventional methods. Conventional methods used for optimal reactive power supports are:

• Linear programming method
• Non-linear programming method
• Gradient method
• Successive quadratic programming method
• Mixed integer programming method

Non-conventional method used for optimal reactive power supports are :

• Particle swarm optimization method
• Expert and fuzzy system method
• Ant colony method
• Artificial neural network method

Comparison Between Conventional And Non-Conventional Method:

Here we provides all the comparison points of conventional and unconventional method one by one:

Conventional Method:

Solution accuracy of conventional method is more.

Problem of load dispatch depends on the type and nature of problem.

Time required for conversion to the solution is less as compared to non-conventional method.

It provides local optimum solution.

Parameter adjustment and tuning of this method is poor.

Non - Conventional Method:

Solution accuracy of conventional method is less.

Problem of load dispatch does not depends on the type and nature of problem.

Time required for non - conventional to the solution is more as compared to conventional method.

It provides global optimum solution.

Parameter adjustment and tuning of this method is must.

Advantages Of Reactive Power Planning 

1. It increase the power transfer capability of transmission line.
2. It reduce the power losses.