Reactive Power Compensation in Medium-Voltage Distribution Networks through Thyristor-Based Switched Compensators and the Artificial Hummingbird Algorithm

This research addresses the optimal reactive power compensation problem in medium-voltage distribution networks by integrating Thyristor-based Switched Capacitors (TSCs) and applying the Artificial Hummingbird Algorithm (AHA). Using TSCs in distribution networks aims at reducing the annualized grid operating costs associated with energy losses while considering the costs of investment in reactive power compensators. The AHA-a bio-inspired metaheuristic optimization approach—is used to determine the optimal set of nodes and sizes for the TSCs. To estimate the expected annualized costs of energy losses, a classical power flow approach based on successive approximations is implemented, structured within a master-slave framework with the AHA. Numerical results on 33- and 69-bus systems demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach compared to three other metaheuristic methods: the sine-cosine algorithm, the Chu & Beasley genetic algorithm, the particle swarm optimizer, and the black widow optimizer. All computational validations were performed using MATLAB software.