Importance Investigation of Load Models Consideration in Stand-Alone Voltage Regulators Placement in Distribution Systems

Main goal of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of load models consideration in stand-alone voltage regulators (VRs) placement problem in distribution systems. Loads are modeled by well-known ZIP model. The question is whether the load type of customers influences the number, rating, and location of voltage regulators in a VRs placement problem. The Genetic algorithm (GA) has been used for maximization of the resulted net benefit of VR placement. Total energy losses reduction benefit, cost of voltage regulators and total maintenances costs are considered in the calculation of net profit. Numerical studies have been done on a 70-bus medium voltage distribution system. Two scenarios with different combinations of ZIP model are studied. Results show the importance and effects of load model consideration in the placement of locally controlled voltage regulators.