Teaching learning based algorithm for OPF with DC link placement problem

•A novel formulation of optimal power flow with DC link placement (OPFDC) problem is developed.•The objectives are fuel cost, loss, voltage profile and voltage stability.•A teaching learning based optimization based solution method for OPFDC problem is suggested.•The results for IEEE 30 and 57 bus test systems are presented.

Optimal Power Flow (OPF) is an important operational and planning problem in minimizing the chosen objectives of the power system. The recent developments in power electronics allow replacing the existing transmission lines by DC links with a view of making the operation more flexible, secure and economical. This paper formulates a new DC link placement problem through extending the standard OPF to embrace DC link equations and presents a heuristic optimization technique, inspired from the teaching–learning process in class rooms, for solving the problem. The solution process involves sequential NR based AC/DC power flow. It presents simulation results of two IEEE test systems with a view of demonstrating its effectiveness.