Loadability enhancement with FACTS devices using gravitational search algorithm

• FACTS devices used for the increased loadability of the power system.
• Gravitational search algorithm for the optimum allocation of FACT devices.
• Minimization of active power loss and system operating cost under different loading conditions using FACTS devices.
• Reactive Power Planning (RPP) with FACTS devices is found to be more beneficial than conventional RPP.

In the present work, GSA (gravitational search algorithm) based optimization algorithm is applied for the optimal allocation of FACTS devices in transmission system. IEEE 30 & IEEE 57 test bus systems are taken as standards. Both active and reactive loading of the power system is considered and the effect of FACTS devices on the power transfer capacity of the individual generator is investigated. The proposed approach of planning of reactive power sources with the FACTS devices is compared with other globally accepted techniques like GA (Genetic Algorithm), Differential Evolution (DE), and PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization). From the results obtained, it is observed that incorporating FACTS devices, loadability of the power system increases considerably and each generator present in the system is being able to dispatch significant amount of active power under different increasing loading conditions where the steam flow rate is maintained corresponding to the base active loading condition. The active power loss & operating cost also reduces by significant margin with FACTS devices at each loading condition and GSA based planning approach of reactive power sources with FACTS devices found to be the best among all the methods discussed in terms of reducing active power loss and total operating cost of the system under all active and reactive loading situations.