Generation Costs Reduction Through Optimal Allocation of FACTS Devices Using Low Discrepancy Sequences

The placement of FACTS devices in a power network is of great importance in order to ensure full utilization of the potential of the transmission network and postpone investments in new transmission plant. This study considers, four types of FACTS devices namely, static VAr compensator (SVC), thyristor-controlled voltage regulator (TCVR), thyristor-controlled phase shifting transformer (TCPST) and thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC). The optimal power flow (OPF) and a new optimization algorithm based on the low discrepancy sequences (LDS) are employed to solve the task of optimal placement of FACTS devices in a power network so that the costs of both active and reactive power generation are minimized. The optimization procedure selects the number, size, type and location of FACTS devices while considering at the same time the costs of individual FACTS devices. The final solution reached therefore, is the best techno-economic option for the network. The study showed that the use of appropriate and optimally placed FACTS devices is cost effective solution since they reduce the cost of generation