Optimal load shedding to improve static voltage stability employing black hole optimization algorithm

Stability in voltage profile is the core issue in developing and operating electrical power systems and it's violation is reported to be the cause of blackouts all over the word. Voltage collapse can be prevented by providing reactive power support via generators power scheduling, tap changing transformer, reactive power compensating devices, capacitor banks, FACTS devices. Subsequently, the last line of defense for voltage recovery is load shedding. This paper proposes a method to optimize the shedding of load mandatory to revive the stability of point of operation while justifying the operating constraints. Optimal load shedding is done after identification of critical load buses. The approach anticipates the risk of voltage instability in the system using L-index. Black Hole Algorithm (BHA) is employed for efficient optimization of load shedding against voltage collapse. Further, results have been analogized with Bare Bones PSO (BBPSO). The computation is carried on IEEE-14 bus system.