Voltage instability in power systems and the use of artificial intelligence methods for its prediction

Before the restructuring of the electricity industry adequate redundancy was built into power systems for voltage instability to be a major problem. Only rotor angle stability was considered in the operation and expansion of power systems. With the introduction of the new electricity market resulting in reduced investment and altered load patterns, particularly increasing load in areas with weak transmission and generation capacity, voltage stability has come into prominence. Unlike rotor angle stability, voltage stability requires mathematical theory and concepts that are difficult and not normally covered in undergraduate electrical engineering courses. This paper explains briefly the theory of voltage instability and the use of artificial intelligence methods for its prediction in power systems.