Optimal Location and Setting of FACTS Devices for Reactive Power Compensation Using Harmony Search Algorithm

Reactive Power Compensation (RPC) is an important issue in the operation and control of power system. In this paper, two FACTS controller like Static Var Compensator (SVC) and Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC) are considered for RPC. RPC is a multi-objective nonlinear optimization problem that minimizes the bus voltage deviation and real power loss. In this work, Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA) is used to determine the optimal location and setting of SVC and TCSC respectively. The efficacy of HSA is demonstrated on modified IEEE 30 bus power system for two operating conditions. A comparison of simulation results reveals the effectiveness of proposed algorithm over other well established population based optimization technique like Simple Genetic Algorithm (SGA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE).