An efficient particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve optimal power flow problem integrated with FACTS devices

Optimal power flow (OPF) is one of the most important tools in power system operation and control, which determines the minimum operating cost and retains the control variables in their secure boundaries. This paper takes into account several unbridled practical constraints in the OPF problem, three of which – that is – valve-point effect, multi-fuel option, and, above all, prohibited operating zone are the most conspicuous ones. Further, the flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) devices are considered, as well, which have several merits such as decreasing the active power transmission loss, controlling the power flow, and improving the voltage stability/profile, to name but a few. Accordingly, thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) – the most popular and common component of the FACTS equipment’s category – is utilized in this study. As a result, the OPF problem integrated with such practical constraints referred to above as well as FACTS devices becomes a highly nonlinear-nonconvex optimization problem and to solve it, a reliable and efficient evolutionary algorithm such as fuzzy-based improved comprehensive-learning particle swarm optimization (FBICLPSO) algorithm is introduced. The proposed approach is scrutinized on IEEE 30-bus test system, which is a commonly used test system for solving the non-smooth and non-convex versions of the OPF problem. Comparing the obtained results by the proposed algorithm with the available alternatives in the literature corroborate the potential and effectiveness of the proposed approach.