Use of Optimization Techniques to Enhance Power System Performance

Abstract

Recently meta-heuristic optimization techniques were widely used to solve optimization problems to avoid the long time taken by classical techniques. The main objective of this thesis is to discuss a new hybrid optimization technique that combines between the accuracy of the classical techniques and the speediness of the meta-heuristic optimization techniques. The new hybrid technique was tested on a very complex optimization problem and compared with other artificial and classical techniques. The problem is to find the best location and sizing of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) to enhance power system performance. The optimization techniques were tested on two different case studies. In the first case study, the IEEE 30 bus system suffers from the outage of a transmission line and the increase of the load. Two methodologies were proposed to find the optimal location and sizing using various optimization techniques. In the second case study, the IEEE 9 bus system suffers from the presence of a wind generator. The two best optimization techniques from the previous case study were used to find the optimal siting and sizing of FACTS devices.