Application of harmony search method for UPFC location for enhancing power system security

This article proposes the use of an improved harmony search algorithm (IHSA) to find out the optimal location and parameter setting of unified power flow controller (UPFC) to improve system security under single line contingencies through eliminating or minimizing the overloaded lines and the violations of buses voltage limits. A contingency analysis is initially described to identify the most severe line outage contingencies, regarding the overloaded lines and voltage limit violations as index of severity. Then, the proposed algorithm is applied in order to find the optimal location and parameter setting of UPFC under the determined contingency scenario. Through a case study conducted using an IEEE 14-bus system, the obtained results show the proposed technique has good features and that the proposed algorithm is an effective and practical method for the allocation of UPFCs in large power systems. The installation of the UPFC at the optimal place determined by the proposed approach enhance significantly the security of power system by eliminating or minimizing the number of overloaded lines and the bus voltage limit violations.