A Novel Approach to Optimal Power Flow Problems in Power Systems Embedded with Various DG and FACTS Devices

This paper presents a universal approach to the optimal power flow (OPF) problem in power systems embedded with various distributed generators (DG)and flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS) devices using real-valued genetic algorithms (RGA). In the study, the most versatile FACTS device, unified power flow controller (UPFC), is used as a generalized model to investigate performances of various DG and FACTS devices in targeting a set of assigned power flows and optimization objectives. A general power injection model taking into account the desired control functions and the related parameters of various DG and FACTS devices is developed and verified. A regular RGA working with a close-loop controlled power flow program is utilized to directly search the best FACTS regulation parameters and generation dispatches for minimizing the cost function and/or the real power losses. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solution methods are verified with comprehensive simulation studies on IEEE test systems. Copyright (C) 2011 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved.