Power system voltage stability analysis using Differential Evolution

The problem of voltage stability is one of the main concerns in the operation of power systems. Many approaches have been used to estimate the voltage stability limit. One of the approaches is determining the maximum loading point of the system. In this approach, the margin from the current operating point to the maximum loading point of the system is determined. Finding this maximum loading point can be formulated as an optimization problem. The recently developed Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm has the main advantages of faster convergence, simple with regard to application and modification and requires a few control parameters. This paper utilizes Differential Evolution for determining the maximum loadability limit of power systems. Details of the implementation of the proposed method to two test systems, sample six bus and IEEE 30 bus, are presented. The results are compared to those obtained by the widely used Conventional Power Flow (CPF). Good agreement has been obtained proving the validity and applicability of the proposed method.