Optimal capacitor placement for loss reduction in distribution systems using fuzzy and harmony search algorithm

This paper presents a new two-stage methodology using fuzzy and Harmony search algorithm (HSA) for the placement of capacitors on the primary feeders of the radial distribution systems with an objective to reduce the power losses and to improve the voltage profile. In the first stage, fuzzy approach is used to find the optimal capacitor locations and in the second stage, Harmony search algorithm is used to find the optimal sizes of the capacitors. The proposed method is tested on 15-bus, 33-bus, 34-bus and 69-bus test systems and the results are presented.