Optimal location of FACTS device using meta heuristic search algorithm

This paper presents Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) based method for optimal placement of STATCOM (Static Synchronous Series Compensator) in a power network. The methodology is mathematically formulated based on installation cost of STATCOM and power loss in the line. The ability of STATCOM to provide shunt compensation in order to maintain bus voltage is exploited here. The proposed method is validated on IEEE-14 bus system. The algorithm used provides fast convergence to the global optimal solution.