Coordination of multi-type FACTS for available transfer capability enhancement using PI–PSO

Abstract

To relieve congestion due to open-access feature in competitive power system framework, utilities plan flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS), ensuring improved utilization and performance of the transmission infrastructure. However, high-investment cost restricts implementation to single type of FACTS' planning in a time. Therefore, successive planning of another FACTS to delay transmission expansion results in multi-type FACTS planning. Consequently, to optimise performance, subsequent planning must coordinate with existing FACTS. The main objective of this study is to implement coordination of multi-type FACTS for available transfer capability (ATC) enhancement. A hybrid real power flow performance index (PI) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO), coordinate thyristor control series compensator (TCSC) in the first planning horizon with static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) and unified power flow controller (UPFC), in the second horizon. The PI–PSO-based multi-type FACTS coordination improves ATC of multilateral power transfers in a standard 9-buses test network. Results show that multi-type FACTS achieved higher ATC; such that enhanced ATC by TCSC–SSSC ranges between 8.06–69.34% while the TCSC–UPFC ranges between 11.85–71.59% for various power transfer transactions. A comparison of the three coordination schemes shows that the scheme with more decision parameters provides superior loadability and transfer capability improvement.