An application of hybrid heuristic method to solve concurrent transmission network expansion and reactive power planning

In this paper a mathematical model for solving simultaneous transmission network expansion and reactive power planning problem (TEPRPP) via an AC model has been presented. A Real Genetic Algorithm (RGA) combined an Interior Point Method (IPM) aimed to obtaining a significant quality solution for such a problem has been employed. The proposed algorithm is tested on three systems; IEEE 24-bus system, 46-bus south Brazilian and the Southeast Network of Iran (SNI). The obtained results show the capability and the viability of the proposed methodology incorporating the AC model of the TEPRPP problem even in real world.

► A hybrid-heuristic method is proposed to solve TEPRPP problems simultaneously.
► We employed RGA associated with Interior Point Method as a robust technique.
► We solved large scale systems using AC model.
► The proposed method is applied to the southeast network of Iran as a first attempt.
► Our obtained results show a significant economical improvement.