A combined artificial neural network-fuzzy dynamic programming approach to reactive power/voltage control in a distribution substation

Reactive power/voltage control in a distribution substation is investigated in this work. The purpose is to determine proper capacitor on/off status and suitable load tap changer (LTC) positions for the 24 hours in the next day. To reach this goal, an artificial neural network (ANN) is designed to reach a preliminary dispatch schedule for the capacitor and LTC. The inputs to the ANN are main transformer real power and reactive power and primary and secondary bus voltages and the outputs are the desired capacitor on/off status and LTC tap positions. The preliminary dispatch schedule is further refined by fuzzy dynamic programming in order to reach the final schedule. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, reactive power/voltage control is performed on a distribution substation in Taipei, Taiwan. Results from the example show that a proper dispatch schedule for capacitor and LTC can be reached by the proposed method in a very short period.