Simultaneous Reconfiguration and Optimal Capacitor Placement Using Adaptive Whale Optimization Algorithm for Radial Distribution System

The losses in the distribution networks due to the line resistance decrease the overall efficiency of the power distribution. Reducing the power losses and regulating the voltages within the limits are necessary to provide quality power to the consumers. The power loss can be minimized by optimum network reconfiguration and the placement of the capacitors. Considering independent network reconfiguration and placement of the capacitor is not effective during heavy loading conditions. This paper proposes a simultaneous network reconfiguration and capacitor placement in radial distribution network to minimize the real power losses, operating cost and to improve the bus voltages. The Johnson's algorithm is used to find the minimal spanning tree during the network reconfiguration and an adaptive whale optimization algorithm is used as an optimization method. The proposed methodology is tested on standard IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus radial distribution systems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by comparing the results with previous result reported in the literature in terms of cost saving and loss reduction.