DefinePK

Abstract

Modern power systems are heavily loaded and are being operated in ways not originally envisioned. Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices play a vital role in improving the static as well as dynamic performance of the power systems. FACTS devices are multi-functional control devices which can be used to effectively control the power distribution and the power transfer capability, to reduce active power losses, to improve stabilities of the power network, to decrease the cost of power production and to fulfil the other control requirements by controlling the power flow in the network. FACTS devices are based on solid-state control and so are capable of control actions at far higher speed. However the location and rating of the FACTS devices play a major role in deciding the extent to which the objective of improving the system performance is achieved in a cost effective manner. In this work an objective function comprising of cost, line loadings and load voltage deviations is proposed to tap maximum benefits out of their installation and the weights assigned to them decide the relative importance. WIPSO (Weight Improved PSO) technique is applied for solving the problem and the effectiveness of the proposed method is tested on IEEE 14, 30 and 57 bus systems using MATAB. The results of the proposed technique are compared with the results obtained through the application of PSO algorithm for the same objective function.