The problem of selecting the electric power system control nodes is studied. By performing control of these modes, matters concerned with providing reliable power supply of the required quality to consumers can be settled in the most efficient manner. As an example, a fragment of the electric power system mathematical model used in the Finist mode-setting simulator for a power system dispatch control center operator is considered, which represents a highly branched electrical network consisting of eleven 110 kV nodes, three 220 kV nodes connected with the system, and two generator nodes. A new procedure for selecting the control nodes is proposed, which takes into account a combination of different indicators having different measurement units, dimensions and scales is proposed. These indicators characterize the following properties of power system nodes: the reactive power fraction absorbed at a node, the sensitivity of voltage to reactive load variations, the number of connected power lines, and statistical indicators characterizing the change of voltage at the nodes and reactive power flows for different options of installing the reactive power compensation devices. For combined use of these indicators, they were ranked according to the efficiency of installing reactive power compensation devices in the system. For each indicator, a scale of five ranks (intervals) is set, which determine the preferences (qualitative judgments) of the researcher in evaluating the reactive power compensation devices installation efficiency at the system nodes. The highest rank (5) corresponds to the maximum efficiency, and the lowest rank (1) corresponds to the minimum efficiency. To calculate the individual (integral) priority indicator of installing reactive power compensation devices, the ranks of indicators are added together, and their sum is divided by the product of the number of ranks by the number of the used indicators (features). Based on the calculation results, the rating (location) of each node is determined, and the nodes for installing the reactive power compensation devices are selected according to their effect on ensuring the electric power system operation reliability, active power losses in the network, and voltage regulation. Thus, a new procedure is presented for determining the integral indicators for comprehensively estimating the properties of complex electric power system nodes and selecting the controlled nodes using a system of various indicators. These indicators characterize the studied nodes in terms of the efficiency of installing reactive power compensation devices to reduce active power losses in the network, voltage regulation, and ensuring the electric power system operational reliability. The validity of the results obtained in the study is confirmed by their comparison with the indicators of the balance-conductivity method, which has proven itself in solving problems connected with determining the nodes for controlling electric power system operation modes.
