Minimization of Ohmic Losses in Power Networks by Utilization of Interphase Power Controllers

Installation of flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices is a widespread approach for reducing ohmic losses in power networks. However, the location and control parameters of these devices should be determined through an optimization procedure. An interphase power controller (IPC) is one of the FACTS devices that can change the active power flow in network branches. However, the placement of this device has not been discussed yet. Therefore, an efficient optimization method will be introduced in this paper based on a genetic algorithm (GA) combined with optimal power flow (OPF) for IPC placement. Firstly, a simple novel method for entering the steady state model of IPC into the power flow equations is proposed. Secondly, the optimal values of decision variables such as IPC location and its control parameters will be determined by the proposed optimization method. The simulation results on IEEE 30-bus and 118-bus test systems show that the GA-based optimization process is able to obtain optimal solutions for the mixed integer placement problem, which would result in a more energy-efficient transmission system.