A Novel Method for Optimal Placement of
STATCOM in Distribution Networks Using
Sensitivity Analysis by DIgSILENT Software
A.Samimi
Department of Electrical Engineering
Islamic Azad University
Boroujerd, Iran
abouzarsamimi@yahoo.com
Abstract—In this paper a new method has been proposed to
decide optimal placement and best sizing of static synchronous
compensator (STATCOM). Seeking the best place is performed
using the sensitivity analysis and sizing of STATCOM is
managed using the genetic algorithm. The average model can
account for the high-frequency effects and power electronic
losses, and more accurately predict the active and reactive power
outputs of the STATCOM. This paper employs the DIgSILENT
simulator and the DPL as a programming tool of the DIgSILENT
to show the validity of the proposed method. The effectiveness of
suggested approach has been tested on part of the distribution
network of Iran, Khoramdarreh city in Zanjan province.
Keywords-Average model, Optimal Placement, Genetic
Algorithm, Sensitivity Analysis, STATCOM.
I. INTRODUCTION
I N recent years, with increasing development in power
networks, the economical operation of power system is
more considered. Because deregulation and restructuring of
the electricity markets use of Flexible AC Transmission
Systems (FACTS) devices is inevitable. The maximum
capability of power systems can be exploited by means of
FACTS devices. Nowadays, development of power electronics
switches causes reduction in the cost of FACTS and therefore
application of FACTS devices especially in distribution
networks is more economical.
Because of the economical considerations, installation of
FACTS controller in all of the buses is impossible and
unnecessary. There are several methods for finding optimal
locations of FACTS devices in power systems [1]-[7]. In [1], a
sensitivity approach based on line loss has been proposed for
placement of series capacitors, phase shifters and static VAR
compensators. In [2], a genetic algorithm (GA) based method
is used to determine the optimal sitting of FACTS controller in
power system. The fitness function is to minimize the generation
cost. In [3], the genetic algorithm is used to seek the optimal
location of multi-type FACTS devices in a power system. The
optimizations are performed on three parameters: the location
of the devices, their types, and their values. In [4], the Tabu
978-1-4244-6255-1/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE
M. A. Golkar
Department of Electrical Engineering
K.N. Toosi University of Technology
Tehran, Iran
Golkar@eetd.kntu.ac.ir
Search (TS) method is used to solve the combinatorial (i.e. to
determine number and location) problem of FACTS device
allocation. Reference [5] compares three heuristic methods
(simulated annealing (SA), TS and GA) applied to the optimal
location of FACTS devices in order to enhance the system
security. The objective function is based on indices quantifying
the severity of the contingencies in terms of branch loading and
voltage levels. The three methods lead to similar results, but
generally TS and GA converge faster than SA to an optimal
solution. In [6], a real power flow performance sensitivity
index has been proposed to decide optimal location of FACTS
controllers. In [7], extended voltage phasors approach (EVPA)
is proposed for placement of FACTS controllers in power
systems within the voltage stability viewpoint.
In most of the previous works have been done, standard
benchmark networks with only a limited number of buses are
used for testing their suggested algorithms. Therefore some
special difficulties and problems of these simulations have not
been predicted definitely when they are applied in real
networks. In addition, transmission systems (high Voltage
levels) have been used in former studies and few researches on
distribution networks has been accomplished.
In this paper a new method has been proposed optimally
locate STATCOM in distribution networks. The suggested
approach is composed of sensitivity analysis and the genetic
algorithm. The search space in optimal placement of
compensators problem is very sizable, especially in
distribution systems. Use of the approaches like sensitivity
analysis can reduce the search space. It is also essential to
model STATCOM to be adapted for the power flow program.
In previous studies on placement of STATCOM, The
STATCOM is traditionally modeled for power flow analysis
as a PV or PQ bus depending on its primary application. The
active power is either set to zero (neglecting the STATCOM
losses) or calculated iteratively. Using average theory,
STATCOM can be modeled in power flow analysis carefully
and calculation of accurate losses of STATCOM has been
provided. Also, a real 20kV distribution network with a large
number of buses has been applied to test the algorithm.
DIgSILENT software which contains a powerful In Figure.1, functions f1 and f 2 represent two linear
programming language called DPL1 has been prepared
combination of the three-phase power system phase-neutral
required facilities to execute the proposed algorithms and
voltages (va(t), vb(t), and vc(t)) as follows:
corresponding simulations.

II. AVERAGE MODEL OF STATCOM f1 (V (t )) = 2va (t ) − vb (t ) − vc (t )

(1)
Averaging technique is a common approach to the f 2 (V (t )) = 2vb (t ) − va (t ) − vc (t )
modeling of power converters [8]. Switch-mode converters
have a discontinuous behavior which is analytically very Also, two dependent voltage sources g1 and g 2 are
complex. There exists a set of state space equations (SSE) that defined by:
mathematically models the exact system. Thus, the number of g1 ( D (t ), VC ) = ( 2 Da (t ) − Db (t ) − Dc (t ))VC
switching periods during the synchronous period establishes (2)
the number of SSE to be analyzed. Averaging technique g 2 ( D (t ), VC ) = ( 2 Db (t ) − Da (t ) − Dc (t ))VC
approximates the modulation of the converter DC/AC from a
periodic discontinuous waveform to a periodic continuous one And two dependent current sources h1 and h2 as:
[9]. h1 ( D (t ), ia (t )) = ( Dc (t ) − Da (t ))ia (t )
Let the angle α be defined as the phase separation between (3)
h2 ( D (t ), ib (t )) = ( Dc (t ) − Db (t ))ib (t )
the fundamental components of output voltage of STATCOM
and power system voltage at coupling bus. To provide the Where Da(t), Db(t), and Dc(t) are the three-phase duty ratio
required active and reactive powers by STATCOM, α varies in functions [9].
a small nonzero region around zero ( α ∈ [ −1.5 ,1.5 ] ).
D D Whereas the average model presents a time-dependent
circuit, a phasor PQ or PV model is essential for the power
Equivalent circuit average model of STATCOM is shown in
flow analysis. Hence, here it is performed adaptive analysis to
Figure.1, including time-dependent sources [8].
get the supplied active and reactive powers of STATCOM
(PCON and QCON). A new bus is added for every STATCOM as
the converter AC voltage, which is connected to an existing
bus n through the commutation reactance (XCON) and the AC
resistance (R). Ignoring R for big XCON/R ratios, the active and
reactive power of the compensator can be obtained by the
well-known power relationships for two buses that are
connected through a connecting reactance:
VtVCON π
Figure.1 equivalent circuit average model of STATCOM PCON = sin(α − )
X CON M
The total power losses of STATCOM is function of the (4)
phase shift between the converter output and the power system V π
QCON = CON (VCON − Vt cos(α − ))
voltage (α) and can be obtained by the average model in X CON M
steady state. The circuit in Figure.1 was analyzed at various
Where Vt, and VCON are the magnitude of the fundamental
angles α to obtain the losses of STATCOM. The simulation of
voltages of bus n and the converter AC bus respectively.
this circuit was programmed by MATLAB. Figure.2 shows
Figure.3 describes the power flow model, including the above
STATCOM power losses (P) as a percentage of STSTCOM
parameters. Pn and Qn are active and reactive powers of the
rating (Q) against the phase shift (α) that is obtained by the
power system at bus-n [9].
average model.

0
-2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
-0.5

-1
%P/Q

-1.5

-2

-2.5

-3
Alpha(degre e)
Figure.3 the adapted average model of STATCOM for power flow analysis
Figure.2 Percent of losses (P/Q) of STATCOM
III. SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS FOR OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF
STATCOM
Many sensitivity performance indices have been proposed
for the analysis of power systems. There are two sensitivity
1
- DIgSILENT Programming Language
indices which have the most attraction for optimal placement To solve the defects has been mentioned above, in this
of reactive power sources. section a novel index considering optimization goals in this
paper has been introduced. Considering improvement of
A. Voltage Sensitivity Index voltage profile and reduction of system losses are the main
Weighted Normalized Voltage Sensitivity Index (WNVSI) goals of optimization in this paper, proposed index which is
at bus-i is defined as [10]: called compound voltage-loss sensitivity index, has been
V ∂V Q base defined as:
WSN i = wi × i × ibase i=1,2,…,NLoad (5)
Qj ∂Q j Vi
VLSI ( j ) = α × VSIn ( j ) + β × LSIn ( j ) j=1,2,…,N (9)
Vi: voltage magnitude at bus i.
Qi: reactive load at bus i.
Where, the superscript base represents the base case. This Where, subscript n demonstrates normalized values.
index includes two components. The Bus Power Load Weight N: the number of buses
(BPLW) is defined as [10]: VSI: voltage sensitivity index
LSI: loss sensitivity index
Qi
wi = n
i =1,2,…,NLoad (6) α, β: weight factors
∑Q
k =1
k
The index calculation is in the way that firstly, voltage
sensitivity analysis is executed and VSI is defined for all buses
And the Normalized Local Sensitivity Index (NLSI) is as:
defined as [10]: Q ∂V
VSI ( j ) = j ⋅ j (10)
∂Vi Qibase Qt ∂Q j
SN QVij = × i =1,2,…,NLoad (7)
∂Q j Vi base Where, Qt is total reactive loads of system. Then VSImin
If weighted factor is not used in voltage sensitivity index, and VSImax are specified by sorting the VSI values, normalized
sensitivity analysis will cause to select buses which have low voltage sensitivity index is defined as:
reactive load and exist at the end of minor branches. These
buses are not qualified for installing compensators VSI ( j ) − VSI min
economically. In fact, the weighted factor wi causes voltage VSIn( j ) = (11)
VSI max − VSI min
sensitivity index from a local index out completely.
In the next stage, loss sensitivity analysis is executed for
all buses and normalized loss sensitivity index is calculated as:
B. Loss Sensitivity Index
∂PLoss
Loss sensitivity index can be used for initial choosing the LSI ( j ) = − (12)
buses of power system which require compensation of the ∂Q j
reactive power. Consider a system having N buses, first Ng LSI ( j ) − LSI min
being the generator buses and Ng+1, …,N as the load buses. LSIn( j ) = (13)
The loss sensitivity index (LSI) with respected to reactive LSI max − LSI min
power output of a source placed at a bus-i, has been defined as The weight factors α, β represent the significance of each
[11]: one of the goals, improvement of voltage profile and reduction
∂P of system losses in optimization problem. It is clear that other
ai = Loss i = Ng+1 ,…, N (8)
∂Qi important optimization goal, i.e. decrease in reactive power of
Where, Qi is the reactive power injected at the load bus i, network has been concealed in Q j / Qt coefficient which is
PLoss is the real power transmission loss of the system. A applied in VSI and a separate index is not needed.
reactive power source should be placed at a load bus-i, having
most negative sensitivity index ai. D. Step-by-Step Sensitivity Analysis for Optimal Location of
STATCOM
C. Introducing a New Combination Sensitivity Index In suggested approach, first, sensitivity analysis has been
The use of only loss sensitivity index to find optimal performed on the network and compound voltage-loss
placement of compensators may cause to select the places sensitivity index or VLSI is calculated for all buses. Then
having low reactive load. Hence, these places are not seemed based on sensitivity analysis, the most sensitive bus of
suitable location for compensation economically. However, network has been added to the list of installing places of
WNVSI proposes suitable places apparently, but because compensators. After that, the amount of reactive load at the
reducing of the system losses which is one of the main goals selected bus has been chosen to zero. In fact, compensator has
of optimization is not considered, this index is not a complete been installed at this bus as much as reactive load. This work
criterion to choose the optimum locations. will cause sensitivity of this bus and the buses around it are
reduced and in next iterations should not be chosen again.
Then sensitivity analysis on the network (with new conditions)
has been executed again and most sensitive bus has been
elected to add it to the list of installing places of
compensators. This procedure will continue in the same way
so that the number of places in the list equals the number of
compensators which is required.
This method has two main advantages: firstly, considering
the elimination of reactive load at a bus after its selection (or
its full compensation), the selection of buses close to each
other in the network is prevented. Secondly, priority of
installation of STATCOM with regard to their entrance to the
list of compensators places has been specified.
IV. OPTIMAL SIZING OF STATCOM USING THE GENETIC
ALGORITHM
The genetic algorithm has been used to find the optimum
sizing of STATCOMs. Genetic algorithms are based on the
mechanisms of natural selection. The principles and details of
the genetic algorithm have been presented in many references
[2], [3].
A. Objective Function
The objective function has been made from the three terms
by the following relationships:
Minimize:
F = PLoss × Q × VF (14)
Where
PLoss : Total real power transmission loss of the system
Q : Total input reactive power in the 63/20 kV substations
VF : Voltage Factor
This objective function is including improvement of
voltage stability, reduction of loss and reduction of reactive
power of network. The VF coefficient demonstrates the
condition of network from the viewpoint of voltage stability.
This coefficient is calculated with the relation:
Kv
VF = K v ⋅ ∑ abs(1 − u vi ) (15)
i =1
Kv: the number of buses out of admissible voltage limit
uvi : Voltage of buses out of admissible voltage limit in per
unit
The stability of network at viewpoint of voltage is better
for the fewer amount of VF. Only the steady state stability in
this paper was considered.
B. Initial Population
Some responses as chromosomes of initial population must
be created for starting algorithm. The length of each
chromosome (the number of genes formed a chromosome) is
the number of required compensators. In fact every gene is a
number between 0-2 with four decimal places and shows exact
size of each STATCOM in per unit.
C. Selection Operator
The best solutions in the current population are selected by
roulette wheel technique.
D. Crossover Operator
Two random chromosomes in the middle generation are
selected. Then a random number (n) between 1 to the length of
chromosome are selected and pairs of selected chromosomes
from n-th gene to later are swapped to each other to produce
new chromosomes.
E. Mutation Operator
To test each element for fitness and to avoid algorithm
stopping at a local optimum some solutions are also randomly
modified. Therefore a chromosome is selected randomly, then
some of it genes are replaced with another random numbers.
V. NUMERICAL RESULTS
The case study for examination of the proposed algorithm
is the distribution network of Khoramdarreh city.
After the implement of algorithm on Khoramdarreh
network, 10 optimum places are selected for installing of
STATCOM. Figure.4 shows situation of these places on the
network. With consideration of the Figure.4, the compression
of compensators in area-A can be observed. By analyzing the
curve of voltage profile, it was clear these points have the
most voltage drop in the network. Therefore, they have been
considered to install the compensators.
Figure.4 proposed locations for installation of STATCOM
Table.I shows the rating of STATCOMs and priority of
them to install in the network. In this table, QFlow demonstrates
reactive power flow at the corresponding bus and QSTATCOM
shows the sizing of STATCOM. Table.II shows the result of
load flow calculation before and after compensation process.
A reduction in active and reactive losses of network,
improvement of voltage stability and increase in power factor
of network represent effectiveness of compensation. The
curves of voltage profile before and after compensation
process is shown in Figure.5. It is clear improvement of
voltage profile after compensation. This improvement
especially in the vicinity of STATCOM locations is more
sensible. presented. The selection of buses close to each other in the
network is prevented by step-by-step sensitivity analysis. In
TABLE I. The rating of STATCOMs and priority of them to install the next step the amount of reactive power injection of
STATCOMs has been defined by GA. The objective function
Rank QFlow [kVAr] QSTATCOM [kVAr] is made of voltage stability, reduction of active losses and
1 106.52 146.39 reduction of reactive power of network. The average model
2 158.70 209.59 has been applied to be adapted for the power flow program
3 154.04 224.83 and to consider the accurate losses of STATCOM in
4 120.86 132.81 placement study. The result of load flow calculation before
5 115.79 162.50 and after compensation process shows improvement of voltage
6 116.82 171.36 stability, reduction of active losses and reduction of reactive
7 91.28 70.22 power of network.
8 142.15 203.56
9 111.08 131.74
10 107.92 160.05 REFERENCES

TABLE II. Results of load flow calculation before and after compensation
[1] P. Preedavinchit, S. C. Srivastava, “Optimal reactive power dispatch
considering FACTS devices”, Advances in Power System Control,
Parameter Without compensation With compensation Operation and Management, 1997. APSCOM-97. Fourth International
input active power (kW) 9694.08 9651.46 Conference on (Conf. Publ. No. 450), Vol. 2, pp. 620 – 625.
input reactive power (kVAr) 6710.92 5037.27 [2] H. C. Leung, T. S. Chung, “Optimal placement of FACTS controller in
active losses (kW) 372.64 330.02 power system by a genetic-based algorithm”, IEEE 1999 International
reactive losses (kVAr) 923.17 862.56 Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems, Vol. 2, pp. 833 –
VF 83.80 10.2 836, July, 1999.
Power Factor 0.822 0.887 [3] S. Gerbex, R. Cherkaoui, and A. J. Germond,“Optimal location of multi-
type FACTS devices in a power system by means of genetic
algorithms”, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER SYSTEMS, Vol. 16,
Voltage Profile
No. 3, pp. 537 – 544, August, 2001.
1.01
[4] H. Mori, Y. Goto, “A parallel Tabu search based method for determining
1
optimal allocation of FACTS in power systems”, International
Conference on Power System Technology Proceedings, vol. 2, pp.
0.99 1077--- 1082, 2000.
0.98
[5] S . Gerbex, R. Cherkaoui, and A. J. Germond, “Optimal location of
FACTS devices to enhance power system security”, Power Tech
0.97
V[Before]
V[After] Conference Proceedings, 2003 IEEE Bologna, Vol. 3.
[6] J. G. Singh, S. N. Singh, and S. C. Srivastava, “Enhancement of power
0.96
system security through optimal placement of TCSC and UPFC”, Power
0.95 Engineering Society General Meeting, 2007, IEEE.
[7] N. K. Sharma, A. Ghosh and R. K. Varma, “A novel placement strategy
0.94
for Facts controllers”, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER
0.93 DELIVERY, VOL. 18, NO. 3, July, 2003.
795 805 815 825 835 845 855
[8] M. Tavakoli Bina and D.C. Hamill, “Average circuit model for angle-
Figure.5 voltage profile before and after compensation controlled STATCOM”, IEE Proceedings Electric Power Applications,
Vol. 152, No. 3, May 2005.
[9] M. T. Bina, J. R. Siahbidi, and K. Kanzi, “Application of averaging
VI. CONCLUSION technique to the power system optimum placement and sizing of static
compensators”, Power Engineering Conference, 2005. IPEC 2005. The
In this paper a new method has been proposed optimally 7th International.
locate STATCOM in distribution networks. The suggested [10] M. Wu, P. Rastgoufard, “The application of reactive power control
approach is composed of sensitivity analysis and genetic equipment in power system stability and security performance
enhancement”, Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 2004.
algorithm. First, step by step sensitivity analysis approach has IEEE, Vol. 2, pp. 2114 - 2119.
been utilized to find optimal placement of compensators. In [11] B. Tyagi, S. C. Srivastava, “A method for optimal placement of reactive
this process, a compound voltage-losses sensitivity index to sources and reactive power procurement in competitive electricity
markets”, Power India Conference, 2006, IEEE.
cover various aims of optimization requirements has been