Optimal placement and control of TCSC for transmission congestion management

Power system load growth is increasing at a faster rate than the increase in the transmission capability. In the present open access system where anybody can buy or sell energy there is a heavy transmission utilization in certain areas which was not planned initially. Transmission congestion occurs when the transmission system is incapable of servicing a load request even if the generation stations are capable of providing it. In present scenario, the extra load is either shed or serviced with the help of local generators. This paper demonstrates the operation of Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor for optimization of transmission and thereby, reducing the transmission congestion. A genetic algorithm is developed to optimize a factor, Performance Index (PI) for the contingency analysis, involving both the location and control of TCSC. These devices enhance the transfer capability, minimize the total power loss in a system thereby, improving the system efficiency.