Minimization of power transmission losses in series compensated systems using genetic algorithm

The optimal allocation of reactive power sources considering location and size is one of the most important problems for a power system operator. In general, only active power losses are considered for minimization, and the optimization problems are solved by controlling generator terminal voltages, transformer tap positions and shunt VAR sources. However, the generator reactive power limits contribute to voltage stability, and minimization of the reactive power losses has a beneficial effect on ensuring an adequate spinning reactive power reserve. In this paper, the series reactive power losses are also included to the objective function, a sensitivity analyses based procedure using genetic algorithm is proposed for the solution of the problem. Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC) are considered as an addition control device, because the series compensation has a big effect on the series reactive power losses. The resulting optimization problem is solved using genetic algorithm. The proposed method is applied to standard test systems and the results are presented.