Review of available transfer capability calculation methods

This paper reviews on the features and implementation of various methods, with pros and cons, for available transfer capability (ATC) calculations. ATC indicates remaining transfer capability over and above already committed use in a competitive electricity markets for its commercial use. Over calculated ATC will offer more power transactions, which will decreases system´s security. On the other hand, under calculated ATC will offer lesser transactions which will affect market economy. To operate the competitive electricity markets securely while earning the benefits of the bulk power transfers, the available transfer capabilities must be calculated in advance to keep market operation within pre-established reliability level. The methods reviewed in this paper are based on DC power transfer distribution factors (DCPTDF), repeated AC Power Flow, genetic algorithm and artificial neural network.