Optimal Allocation of Flexible AC Transmission System Controllers in Electric Power Networks

Due to increasing power demand, incorporation of prosumers, continuous expansion, competitive market and inherent limitations of alternating current, the management and operation of power system has become very complex. For economical, reliable and secure operation, the use of emerging technologies is unavoidable. Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) is one of the emerging technologies which does not only solve the problems but also gives new directions in existing high voltage AC (HVAC) and high voltage DC (HVDC) power systems. However, allocation of FACTS controllers i.e., determination of optimal location, size, number and type of these devices with minimized cost is a difficult problem. This paper, in broader sense, discusses FACTS allocation for the solution of issues of power system. The benefits and objectives of optimal allocation of FACTS have been reviewed from view point of objective functions, decision variables, constraints and recent optimization algorithms.