Optimal Power Factor Regulation of Dispersed Wind Farms under Diverse Load and Stochastic Wind Conditions Based on Improved Firefly Algorithm

Abstract

Aiming at the instability of voltage and large network loss of dispersed wind farms (DWFs) integration into distribution network (DN), an optimal power factor regulation method based on improved firefly algorithm is proposed. Firstly, the generalized load model based on the static voltage characteristics is analyzed. Then reactive power capabilities of DWFs are thoroughly discussed and the influences of DWFs with variable power factor on network loss and voltage profile are presented. In order to reduce network loss and enhance power quality, optimal power factor regulation of DWFs based on improved firefly algorithm (IFA) is proposed. Finally, results of the benchmark IEEE-33 node system show the feasibilities and validities of the proposed method and the superiorities of proposed IFA are revealed by comparison with the existing algorithms.