Maximum loadability of power systems using hybrid particle swarm optimization

The problem of voltage stability is one of the main concerns in the operation of power systems. There are different approaches to estimate the voltage stability of the system. One of these approaches is to find the margin from the current operating point to the maximum loading point of the system. Finding this maximum loading point can be formulated as an optimization problem. This paper utilizes the newly developed evolutionary particle swarm optimization in solving this optimization problem. Details of the implementation of the proposed method to two test systems (Ward-Hale 6-bus) and (IEEE 14-bus) are presented. The results are compared to those obtained by the widely used continuation power flow technique. Good agreement has been obtained proving the validity and applicability of the proposed method.