Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) based technique for voltage control and loss minimization using transformer tap setting

Continuous demand in power transmission network caused by reactive power has been highlighted as the main factor in voltage depreciation and also increase of total transmission loss. Various studies involving reactive power planning (R-PP); such as optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD), optimal capacitor placement, static VAR compensator and installation of flexible AC transmission system (FACTs) devices are several available solutions to alleviate the voltage decay problems. This paper presents a new approach using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) technique to determine the optimal values of transformer tap setting for voltage control and loss minimization in power system. The purpose is to search for a solution for the best possible combinations of transformer tap setting that will improve the voltages and also to reduce the power losses in an electric power system. The proposed technique was tested using the standard IEEE 30-bus system and the results revealed that the proposed technique has the merit of achieving optimal solution in addressing the problems.