Optimization of optimal power flow problems with FACTS devices using PSO technique

This paper presents a comparative study for the effect of different types of FACTS devices on the optimal power flow (OPF) optimization problems. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique is used to solve the OPF problem and to obtain the optimal parameters setting and allocation of FACTS devices considering five objective functions. Three different types of FACTS devices (SVC, STATCOM or UPFC) are incorporated to the IEEE 30-bus test power system one by one. Points of comparison are the objective functions of the OPF problem and the voltage profile of the power system. Also, the effect of adding a fuel cell energy source to the STATCOM device is considered. The simulation results investigate a comparison of FACTS devices effectiveness in enhancing the system performance.

I. Introduction

The electrical power energy demands are grown every year forcing the power transmission systems to work nearby its loadability and stability limits. There are two solutions in order to overcome this problem. The first solution is to install new transmission lines but it will be complicated and difficult process to solve the problem by this solution due to environmental, economic and political issues and the long time required for designing and construction. The second solution, which is widely used, is to utilize Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices [1]. These devices depend on solid-state converters and they can control several parameters in electrical transmission network such as voltage magnitude, line reactance and phase angle difference. They have the ability to reduce the heavily loaded lines flows, adjust the bus voltages at the required levels, enhance the efficiency of the power transfer capability and enhance the stability of the power system network [2], [3]. The advantages of using FACTS devices are low installations and operations cost, operating with no pollution and its fast and effective control manner [4].