An enhanced under-voltage load-shedding scheme to provide voltage stability

Under-voltage load shedding is one of the most important tools for avoiding voltage instability. In this paper, an optimal load-shedding algorithm is developed. This approach is based on the concept of the static voltage stability margin and its sensitivity at the maximum loading point or the collapse point. The traditional load-shedding objective is extended to incorporate both technical and economic effects of load shedding. The voltage stability criterion is modeled directly into the load-shedding scheme. The proposed methodology is implemented over the IEEE 14 and 118 bus test systems and solved using a mathematical (GAMS/CONOPT) and two heuristic (PSO and GA) methods. The heuristic techniques are employed only to validate the results.