Power factor correction based on transmission loss minimization with uncertain source harmonics and load characteristics

This article presents a method of reducing the expected value of the transmission loss for a specified range of source impedance values at different buses by using inductor-capacitor compensators where it is desired to maintain a given power factor at a specified value. The criterion is based on mean value estimation of source and load characteristics, which is enabled by sampling measurements performed on the examined electrical plant, as well as statistical analysis. The major attribute of the method is that, unlike conventional approaches, it guarantees convergence to the optimal solution. Finally, the contribution of the newly developed method is demonstrated in examples taken from previous publications.