This paper presents a new approach to optimal reactive power planning based, on a genetic algorithm. Many outstanding methods to this problem have been proposed in the past. However, most these approaches have the common defect of being caught to a local minimum solution. The integer problem which yields integer value solutions for discrete controllers/banks still remain as a difficult one. The genetic algorithm is a kind of search algorithm based on the mechanics of natural selection and genetics. This algorithm can search for a global solution using multiple path and treat integer problem naturally. The proposed method was applied to practical 51-bus and 224-bus systems to show its feasibility and capabilities. Although this method is not as fast as sophisticated traditional methods, the concept is quite promising and useful in the coming computer age.
