A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks

The increasing complexity of modern power distribution networks necessitates advanced strategies for reactive power compensation, particularly in capacitor placement and sizing. Traditional optimization techniques, while effective, often struggle with dynamic system behaviors, nonlinear loads, and r...

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Main Authors: Kwabena Addo, Katleho Moloi, Musasa Kabeya, Evans Eshiemogie Ojo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10982221/
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author Kwabena Addo
Katleho Moloi
Musasa Kabeya
Evans Eshiemogie Ojo
author_facet Kwabena Addo
Katleho Moloi
Musasa Kabeya
Evans Eshiemogie Ojo
author_sort Kwabena Addo
collection DOAJ
description The increasing complexity of modern power distribution networks necessitates advanced strategies for reactive power compensation, particularly in capacitor placement and sizing. Traditional optimization techniques, while effective, often struggle with dynamic system behaviors, nonlinear loads, and real-time operational constraints. This paper presents a comprehensive review of machine learning (ML)-based methodologies for optimal capacitor placement and sizing, focusing on their ability to enhance voltage stability, minimize power losses, and improve overall grid efficiency in smart distribution networks. Various ML techniques are analyzed, including supervised learning methods such as Support Vector Machines and Random Forests for predictive modeling, unsupervised learning approaches like clustering for system characterization, reinforcement learning for adaptive decision-making, and hybrid approaches, highlighting their strengths and limitations in the context of smart transformer-assisted systems. A critical evaluation of the challenges, computational complexities, and future research directions is provided, emphasizing the role of ML in enabling intelligent, data-driven optimization in smart grid environments. The findings underscore the transformative potential of ML-driven capacitor placement strategies in advancing sustainable, resilient, and efficient power distribution systems.
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issn 2169-3536
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-ffef87d2b9a749ea92e50952b7b0993c2025-08-20T03:24:59ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113969339696210.1109/ACCESS.2025.356658710982221A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution NetworksKwabena Addo0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9564-1625Katleho Moloi1Musasa Kabeya2Evans Eshiemogie Ojo3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4968-3239Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Electrical Power Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Electrical Power Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Electrical Power Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South AfricaThe increasing complexity of modern power distribution networks necessitates advanced strategies for reactive power compensation, particularly in capacitor placement and sizing. Traditional optimization techniques, while effective, often struggle with dynamic system behaviors, nonlinear loads, and real-time operational constraints. This paper presents a comprehensive review of machine learning (ML)-based methodologies for optimal capacitor placement and sizing, focusing on their ability to enhance voltage stability, minimize power losses, and improve overall grid efficiency in smart distribution networks. Various ML techniques are analyzed, including supervised learning methods such as Support Vector Machines and Random Forests for predictive modeling, unsupervised learning approaches like clustering for system characterization, reinforcement learning for adaptive decision-making, and hybrid approaches, highlighting their strengths and limitations in the context of smart transformer-assisted systems. A critical evaluation of the challenges, computational complexities, and future research directions is provided, emphasizing the role of ML in enabling intelligent, data-driven optimization in smart grid environments. The findings underscore the transformative potential of ML-driven capacitor placement strategies in advancing sustainable, resilient, and efficient power distribution systems.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10982221/Machine learningcapacitor placementsizingloss minimizationvoltage profilesmart transformer
spellingShingle Kwabena Addo
Katleho Moloi
Musasa Kabeya
Evans Eshiemogie Ojo
A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks
IEEE Access
Machine learning
capacitor placement
sizing
loss minimization
voltage profile
smart transformer
title A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks
title_full A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks
title_fullStr A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks
title_full_unstemmed A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks
title_short A Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Optimal Capacitor Placement and Sizing in Smart Distribution Networks
title_sort survey of machine learning techniques for optimal capacitor placement and sizing in smart distribution networks
topic Machine learning
capacitor placement
sizing
loss minimization
voltage profile
smart transformer
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10982221/
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