Application of particle swarm optimization technique for optimal location of FACTS devices considering cost of installation and system loadability

This paper presents the application of particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique to find the optimal location of flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices with minimum cost of installation of FACTS devices and to improve system loadability (SL). While finding the optimal location, thermal limit for the lines and voltage limit for the buses are taken as constraints. Three types of FACTS devices, thyristor controlled series compensator (TCSC), static VAR compensator (SVC) and unified power flow controller (UPFC) are considered. The optimizations are performed on the parameters namely the location of FACTS devices, their setting, their type, and installation cost of FACTS devices. Two cases namely, single-type devices (same type of FACTS devices) and multi-type devices (combination of TCSC, SVC and UPFC) are considered. Simulations are performed on IEEE 6, 30 and 118 bus systems and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) 69 bus system, a practical system in India for optimal location of FACTS devices. The results obtained are quite encouraging and will be useful in electrical restructuring. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.