TY - JOUR N2 - This paper presents a novel approach for reactive power planning of a connected power network. Reactive power planning is nothing but the optimal usage of all reactive power sources i.e., transformer tap setting arrangements, reactive generations of generators and shunt VAR compensators installed at weak nodes. Shunt VAR compensator placement positions are determined by a FVSI (Fast Voltage Stability Index) method. Optimal setting of all reactive power reserves are determined by a GA (genetic algorithm) based optimization method. The effectiveness of the detection of the weak nodes by the FVSI method is validated by comparing the result with two other wellknown methods of weak node detection like Modal analysis and the L-index method. Finally, FVSI based allocation of VAR sources emerges as the most suitable method for reactive power planning. L1 - http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/102174/PDF/DOI%2010.1515aee-2016-0055.pdf L2 - http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/102174 PY - 2016 IS - No 4 December EP - 802 DO - 10.1515/aee-2016-0055 KW - active power loss KW - FVSI method KW - genetic algorithm KW - operating cost KW - reactive power planning KW - weak nodes A1 - Bhattacharyya, Biplab A1 - Rani, Shweta A1 - Vais, Ram Ishwar A1 - Bharti, Indradeo Pratap PB - Polish Academy of Sciences VL - vol. 65 DA - 2016 T1 - GA based optimal planning of VAR sources using Fast Voltage Stability Index method SP - 789 UR - http://www.journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/102174 T2 - Archives of Electrical Engineering ER -