Optimal allocation of distributed static series compensators in power system using Biogeography Based Optimization

The concept of Distributed FACTS (D-FACTS) has been proposed as an alternative approach to realizing cost-effective power flow control. When technology of D-FACTS is being further advanced, there is an increasing interest to find the optimal locations of these devices. The best location and size of D-FACTS is necessary for optimal control of the power flow in a large meshed network. Being a distributed solution, D-FACTS devices provide flexibility in terms of deployment. This often makes the problem even more computationally intensive. Recent studies show that Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO) technique gives better results than classical optimization techniques, when applied to power engineering optimization problems. This paper shows the application of BBO for the optimal deployment of D-FACTS devices. The technique is applied on the IEEE 57 bus system.