Improved Particle Swarm algorithm applied to optimal reactive power control

This paper presents an Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO) to solve the Optimal Reactive Power Control (ORPC) problem. In the new algorithm, particle not only studies from itself and the best one but also from other individuals. By this enhanced study behavior, the opportunity to find the global solution is guaranteed and also the speed of convergence can be improved. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated and results are compared with Linear Programming, Fuzzy logic, Genetic algorithm and Classical PSO approaches. The developed IEPSO has been tested on 6 bus Ward-Hale test system and modified IEEE 30bus system for Optimal Reactive Power and Voltage Control problem and results are found promising.