Optimal Placement and Sizing of a Custom Power Device for Load Enhancement of Radial Distribution Systems Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Kripa Shanker; Rajeev Ranjan Kumar

Optimal Placement and Sizing of a Custom Power Device for Load Enhancement of Radial Distribution Systems Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Author(s)	Mr. Kripa Shanker, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan Kumar
Country	India
Abstract	The increasing penetration of nonlinear loads, distributed energy resources, and rapidly growing electricity demand has significantly affected the operational performance of modern radial distribution systems, leading to excessive power losses, poor voltage regulation, reduced voltage stability, and limited loadability margins [1–3]. Custom Power Devices (CPDs) have emerged as an effective solution for enhancing power quality and improving the performance of distribution networks through reactive power compensation and voltage support [4, 5]. However, the effectiveness of a CPD strongly depends on its optimal location and appropriate sizing within the distribution system [6, 7]. This paper presents a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based methodology for the optimal placement and sizing of a Custom Power Device to improve the loadability of radial distribution systems while simultaneously enhancing voltage stability and minimizing power losses. The proposed approach integrates Backward/Forward Sweep (BFS) load flow analysis, Voltage Stability Index (VSI), and loadability assessment into a unified multi-objective optimization framework. Particle Swarm Optimization is selected because of its simple implementation, fast convergence, and proven effectiveness in solving nonlinear power system optimization problems [8, 9]. The optimization objective considers four performance indices, namely maximum loadability enhancement, voltage stability improvement, voltage profile enhancement, and reduction of real power losses under practical operating constraints. The proposed methodology is evaluated on the standard IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system using MATLAB. The simulation results demonstrate that the optimally allocated and properly sized CPD substantially improves the network operating performance. The maximum loading factor is significantly increased while maintaining acceptable voltage limits throughout the network. Moreover, the minimum bus voltage and Voltage Stability Index are considerably improved, and the total real power losses are reduced. These results demonstrate that the proposed PSO-based optimization framework provides an effective and computationally efficient solution for enhancing the operational capability of radial distribution systems.
Keywords	Custom Power Device; Particle Swarm Optimization; Radial Distribution System; Load Enhancement; Voltage Stability Index; Backward Forward Sweep Load Flow; Distribution System Optimization.
Field	Engineering
Published In	Volume 17, Issue 3, July-September 2026
Published On	2026-08-09

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Optimal Placement and Sizing of a Custom Power Device for Load Enhancement of Radial Distribution Systems Using Particle Swarm Optimization

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