A generalized approach for determination of optimal location and performance analysis of FACTs devices

•A novel method is proposed to determine optimal location for FACT devices.•The objective in this work is reduction of real power flow performance index.•Mathematical model for each objective is presented in terms of system parameters.•Sensitivity indices have been derived for the placement of IPFC and OUPFC.•The proposed generalized method can be used for placement of any FACT device.

This paper presents a generalized approach for determination of optimal locations for placement of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTs) devices in the power system with an objective of reducing real power loss and to reduce overloading of the lines. An objective function involving above objectives is formulated and a detailed mathematical model for each objective is presented in terms of system parameters. Three FACT devices, namely, Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC), Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC), and Optimal Unified Power Flow Controller (OUPFC) which are capable of controlling both active and reactive power are considered in simulation and analysis of the networks. The parameters to be optimized have been identified and incorporated in the objective function for each device. Sensitivity analysis is used to locate optimal buses to place the FACTs devices in the network. Effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated on a 5 Bus and an IEEE 14 Bus systems for each FACT device. Simulation results obtained for each device using proposed approach are compared with those obtained in the literature.