Optimal configuration of distributed power flow controller to enhance system loadability via mixed integer linear programming

Increasing energy consumption has caused power systems to operate close to the limit of their capacity. The distributed power flow controller (DPFC), as a new member of distributed flexible AC transmission systems, is introduced to remove this barrier. This paper proposes an optimal DPFC configuration method to enhance system loadability considering economic performance based on mixed integer linear programming. The conflicting behavior of system loadability and DPFC investment is analyzed and optimal solutions are calculated. Thereafter, the fuzzy decision-making method is implemented for determining the most preferred solution. In the most preferred solution obtained, the investment of DPFCs is minimized to find the optimal number, locations and set points. Simulation results on the IEEE-RTS79 system demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and reasonable.