Application of min cut algorithm for optimal location of FACTS devices considering system loadability and cost of installation

Due to the growth of electricity demands and transactions in power markets, existing power networks need to be improved in order to increase their loadability. Series FACTS devices such as Thyristor controlled series compensators (TCSC) can be installed on transmission lines to enhance the system loadability through changing line reactance. The proper location and the best setting of TCSC is a key for achieving maximum system loadability and optimal installation cost of TCSC devices. This paper has applied the minimum cut methodology on the power system to determine the most suitable locations for the installed TCSC as well as using Kirchhoff's law of current to establish clearly formulation for determining the best setting of TCSC devices. Simulations are performed on IEEE 6-bus, IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems. The results obtained show that the proposed method is capable of finding the location, quantity and size of TCSC in such effective way for enhancing system loadability and minimum installation cost of TCSC devices. Using this method, search space and the number of TCSC devices required will be significantly decreased. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.