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To relieve congestion due to open‐access feature in competitive power system framework, utilities plan flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS), ensuring improved utilization and performance of the transmission infrastructure. However, high‐investment cost restricts implementation to single type of FACTS' planning in a time. Therefore, successive planning of another FACTS to delay transmission expansion results in multi‐type FACTS planning. Consequently, to optimise performance, subsequent planning must coordinate with existing FACTS. The main objective of this study is to implement coordination of multi‐type FACTS for available transfer capability (ATC) enhancement. A hybrid real power flow performance index (PI) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO), coordinate thyristor control series compensator (TCSC) in the first planning horizon with static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) and unified power flow controller (UPFC), in the second horizon. The PI–PSO‐based multi‐type FACTS coordination improves ATC of multilateral power transfers in a standard 9‐buses test network. Results show that multi‐type FACTS achieved higher ATC; such that enhanced ATC by TCSC–SSSC ranges between 8.06–69.34% while the TCSC–UPFC ranges between 11.85–71.59% for various power transfer transactions. A comparison of the three coordination schemes shows that the scheme with more decision parameters provides superior loadability and transfer capability improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents gravitational search algorithm (GSA)‐based optimisation technique for the optimum co‐ordination of multi‐type flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices with the existing reactive power sources present in a connected power network. Three types of FACTS devices: namely, unified power flow controller, static var compensator and thyristor controlled series capacitor are used in the present problem and IEEE‐30 and IEEE‐57 bus systems are taken as standard test systems. The existing reactive power sources are reactive generations of the generators and transformer tap setting arrangements. The main objective of the present study is to reduce active power loss, system operating cost including the cost of FACTS devices and congestion in transmission network. The result obtained with the proposed GSA‐based approach is compared with the results obtained by genetic algorithm, differential evolution and particle swarm optimisation techniques. It is observed that by optimal placement of FACTS devices along with the optimal setting of the transformer tap arrangements and control of reactive generations of the generators line loss, system operating cost and transmission congestion is reduced significantly by the GSA‐based method compared with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient operation of the present day power system is an important issue to satisfy the customer needs. To improve the performance of the existing power system, the flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices have been attracted by an engineering community with the expertise in power system. This article proposes the self‐adaptive firefly algorithm (SAFA) for placement of FACTS devices, which identifies the appropriate type, best possible locations and optimal parameters of FACTS devices. Static var compensator, thyristor controlled series compensator and unified power flow controller are considers as FACTS devices for their placement. The objectives are to improve the power system performance by placement of FACTS devices through minimising real power loss, improving voltage profile and enhancing the voltage stability. Effectiveness of the proposed SAFA is tested on standard IEEE 30 and IEEE 57 bus systems with different objectives. The results are compared with other approaches, which clearly indicate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible AC transmission system devices provide the opportunity to improve the usage of the current transmission facilities by controlling network flows and nodal voltages. The optimal steady‐state settings of these devices can be determined using optimal power flow calculations. However, this requires knowledge of the system parameters, generation settings and loads. A two‐stage regression‐based control scheme is proposed to determine the optimal settings of thyristor‐controlled series compensators (TCSCs) with the objective to optimally utilise the current transmission system in the presence of renewable energy resources. A regression function describing the relationship between a set of key measurements and the optimal device settings is determined in the offline simulation. This function is then used to calculate the optimal device settings by only receiving the information from a limited number of key measurements without solving the OPF problem in the online operation. Studies are carried out with TCSCs in three‐test systems, the IEEE 14‐bus system, a 28‐bus system and the IEEE 118‐bus system. The simulation results with one, two and four TCSCs are presented, illustrating the performance of the proposed regression‐based control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydro‐Québec's electrical transmission system is an extensive, international grid located in Québec, Canada with extensions into the northeastern United States of America. For large power systems such as this, one of the major issues is to maintain the steady‐state performance of the network. From this point of view, flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices could be effective tools to improve power system security by reducing the power flow on overloaded lines, which in turn would result in an increased loadability of the power system, reduced transmission line losses, improved stability and security and, ultimately, a more energy‐efficient transmission system. Therefore in this study, the authors will present the effects of different types of FACTS devices on the performance of Hydro‐Québec's power system. The optimal locations and rating of these FACTS controllers will be determined with a view to improving network security using an optimisation algorithm based on a genetic algorithm. The effects of six different FACTS devices including static VAR compensator (SVC), thyristor‐controlled series capacitor (TCSC), thyristor‐controlled voltage regulator (TCVR), thyristor‐controlled phase‐shifting transformer (TCPST), unified power flow controller (UPFC) and static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) with energy storage are compared. Using the presented results, the effects of different types of FACTS devices on the Hydro‐Québec network will be analysed and compared with those of a STATCOM equipped with energy storage from the viewpoints of static loadability and losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]