Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm Approach for the Optimal Placement of Flexible AC Transmission Systems Devices in a Power System.

Abstract—This article presents a novel approach for optimal flexible AC transmission systems devices planning in an interconnected power system under different loading conditions. The static VAR compensator and thyristor-controlled series capacitor are two types of flexible AC transmission systems devices considered for optimal power system operation. In the proposed approach, a fuzzy membership function is used to determine weak nodes in the power system for the placement of static VAR compensators as a flexible AC transmission systems device. The thyristor-controlled series capacitor is the other type of flexible AC transmission systems devices for which its positions are determined by the reactive power flow in lines. The genetic algorithm is used for the optimal setting of the power system variables, including flexible AC transmission systems devices. The proposed technique is compared with other optimization methods using different globally accepted evolutionary algorithms where the nodes or point of VAR compensation is determined by eigenvalue analysis, and the amount of flexible AC transmission systems devices is determined by evolutionary techniques, such as the genetic algorithm, differential evolution, and particle swarm optimization. The superiority of the proposed fuzzy-based optimization approach is established by the results and comparative analysis with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]