| dc.description.abstract | Capacitor banks have been widely used in electric power networks. This master thesis presents a
study of introducing new capacitor banks into a transmission network. The network comprises two
areas at Telemark and Vestfold with voltages levels of 55kV, 66kV and 132kV, owned by Skagerak
Nett AS.
Capacitor banks improve the electric network in five ways: power factor correction, increased
capacity, reduction of losses, voltage support and reactive power support. International standards
and regulations regarding capacitor banks usage, as well as technological related considerations,
have been explained.
Network improvements are always required. The main goal of this project is to find an optimum
solution for the installation of new capacitor banks in the Skagerak Nett network. The optimal
solution is the one that minimizes cost of operation of the grid and investment in capacitor banks.
The project aims to find the optimum solution for the whole network and the analysis includes the
economic viability of the solution.
The optimum capacitor placement problem consists of determining sizes and location of capacitor
banks in order to optimize an objective function. The problem is solved using various genetic
algorithms. Genetic algorithms are implemented with Python, which can use the capabilities of
PSS/E, where the network data is stored.
The objective function includes data from high load season, investment costs, power losses, reactive
power losses and maintenance. The constraints of the problem limit the voltage, power factor and
capacitor bank power. Economic aspects are also part of the objective function.
The results show that the electric power networks under consideration can be improved with the
introduction of capacitor banks and that costs are reduced. The investments in the capacitor bank
solutions are recommended as they offer savings respect the no investment option. The proposed
capacitor bank configurations consists of 14 and 13 capacitor banks in Telemark and Vestfold,
distributed in 7 and 10 transformer stations respectively, with power ratings that range from 6
to 20 Mvar. The savings of both proposals have been estimated to 68 and 40 MNOK during the
investment period. | no_NO |
