Abstract
Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) play an important role in minimizing power losses and voltage deviations while increasing the real power transfer capacity of transmission lines. The extent to which these devices can provide benefits to the transmission network depend on their optimal location and sizing. However, finding appropriate locations and sizes of these devices in an electrical network is difficult since it is a nonlinear problem. This paper proposes a technique for the optimal placement and sizing of FACTS, namely the Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensators (TCSCs), Shunt VARs Compensators (SVCs), and Unified Power Flows Controllers (UPFCs). To find the optimal locations of these devices in a network, weak buses and lines are determined by constructing PV curves of load buses, and through the line stability index. Then, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is employed not only to find an ideal ratings for these devices but also the optimal coordination of SVC, TCSC, and UPFC with the reactive power sources already present in the network (tap settings of transformers and reactive power from generators). The objective here is the minimization of the operating cost of the system that consists of active power losses and FACTS devices cost. The proposed method is applied to the IEEE 14 and 30 bus systems. The presented technique is also compared with Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The findings showed that total system operating costs and transmission line losses were considerably reduced by WOA as compared to existing metaheuristic optimization techniques.
Highlights
Electrical power generating stations are usually located far away from load centers, and utilities greatly rely on existing generation to satisfy load demand via power export-import arrangements.practical power systems are highly interconnected
Another study was done in [15] for the placing it at weak buses determined through PV curves, but no study was done regarding optimal combine siting, sizing, and operation of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and wind farms, devices used were Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensators (TCSCs) and Unified Power Flows Controllers (UPFCs)
In [16], optimal placement of UPFC was determined in the real electrical network by placing it at weak buses determined through PV curves, but no study was done regarding optimal sizing of UPFC
Summary
Electrical power generating stations are usually located far away from load centers, and utilities greatly rely on existing generation to satisfy load demand via power export-import arrangements. Network restructuring, and dynamic load patterns, some transmission lines operate well above their thermal and stability limits [1]. The voltage profile of the power system gets affected by the uneven loading of transmission lines that leads to an unstable power system
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