Phase Load Balancing in Distribution Power System Using Discrete Passive Compensator

This paper describes a new proposal to deal with the unbalanced phase loading phenomenon in power distribution systems. Discrete switched passive shunt compensators such as reactors or capacitor banks are considered as the means to compensate for the imbalance. The discrete switched passive compensator offers advantages in term of installation cost and simplifies the maintenance process. A new algorithm is developed to calculate the size of discrete compensators, and this algorithm incorporates the unbalanced power flow calculation module and the optimal compensator sizing module. In addition, the algorithm is written in MATLAB language and tested on an actual three phase-three wire distribution feeder. Extensive tests have validated the effectiveness of the proposal and shown that this proposal can be a useful tool for any electrical utilities. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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