Enhancing Power System Performance Through Capacitor Banks: A Load Flow Analysis Using ETAP.

As the electricity market expands with increasing demand, power systems are under more pressure to operate within secure limits. One way to ensure this is through load flow studies, which analyze the steady-state conditions of a power system under various load and generator scenarios. However, the complexity of power systems and the growing demand for electricity make it difficult to accurately predict and analyze power flow. The use of simulation software like electrical transient and analysis program (ETAP) can improve the accuracy and efficiency of load flow studies, but it still poses challenges such as complexity and lack of standardization in use. This paper focuses on voltage stability, voltage regulation, and the impact of capacitor banks on buses through load flow studies. Real data from four hydropower plants is used to analyze voltage drop, voltage regulation and power losses at each bus. The findings highlight the effectiveness of capacitor banks in improving voltage profiles and reducing power losses, thus proposing an optimized system design. These enhancements facilitate better planning, operation, and expansion of power systems, ensuring more reliable and efficient electricity supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]