CHAPTER 4

PSO BASED REAL POWER LOSS MINIMIZATION AND

VOLTAGE STABILITY ENHANCEMENT

1.1. INTRODUCTION

One of the important operating requirements of'a reliable power system is to

maintain the voltage within the permissible ranges to ensure a high quality of'
customer service. The control of reactive power and voltage control problems has
gained importance to ensure a reliable quality of power supply with minimum losses
in the power system. Conventional search routines to solve the optimal reactive power
control have the common defect of being caught at local minima. Therefore. a new
method of achieving a reasonahle voltage profile for economic and stable operation of
a power system is the need of the hour.

An analysis of M W and MVAR management for the improvement of

economical dispatch by using panicipation factors has k e n derived from the critical
clgenvectors of the jacohian matrix 11021. A new model Ibr optimal reactive pnwer
llow has been designed by the predictor corrector primal dual interior point methcd
11031. A bacteria foraging technique ha? been implemented for minimizing loss.
taking voltage stahility into account [68]. A recent work on the stability index has
heen carried out by the use of tellegen's theorem 110.51. Other works on the stahility
index have included preventive control of voltage stability using a new voltage
stability index [106]. Many novel methods have been employed for this voltage
stability control such as the effect of load tap changers in emergency and preventive
voltage stability control [107]. Nonlinear optimization techniques have been used for
voltage stability analysis by fast computation of voltage stability security margins
11081. Other applications of the nonlinear programming have included congestion
management problem ensuring voltage stability [109]. Recent research works on the
real power loss minimization have been carried out by the use of various evolutionary
techniques. The real power loss minimization has been mainly carried out to meet out
the improvement of the voltage profile by GA technique [I 101. The application of GA
to the corrective control of voltage and reactive power has been ~nvest~gatcd
1691.
Other works on voltage control have included the application of pseudo gradlent
evolutionary programming to the optimal voltage control for power system stabll~ty
[112], voltage and reactive power estimation for contingency analys~s using
scns~tivities[ I 131 and hence global nonlinear control has been implemented.

This PSO based algorithm uses optimum settings of Automatic Voltage

Regulator (AVR), On Load Tap Changer (OLTC) and hence finds the mlnltnum
number of Reactlve Power Compensation Equipments (RPCE) to hc connected In the
system. This swarm intelligence technique differs in the sense that 11 ~dcnl~lics
the
global appropriate values in its bid to offer the best possible voltage profile. The Idea
IS to search the global optimum settlngs of AVR values, OLTC tap posltlons and the
numher of RPCE's to be connected in order to minimize the real power losses therehy
~mprovingthe voltage stability of the power system. The voltage stabil~tyassessment
1s performed using a line voltage stability index. The particle swarm opt~mizat~on
techn~queusing MATLAB for d~fferentsystems such as Standard-5, IEEE-14. IEEE-
30. IEEE-57, IEEE-I18 bus systems, an lnd~anutil~ly system such as Ncyvel~
Thermal Power-Station (NTPS) system and Puducherry bus system have been canied
out and the performance evaluation is presented. Thc results ohtained uslng PSO 1s
found to provide mlnimum real power loss when compared to Newton-Raphson based
load flow method and genetic algonthm approach, thus improving the voltage
stability of the power system.

4.2. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

The losses that occur in a power system have to be minimized in order to
enhance its overall performance. In the proposed work, a new algorithm that attcmpts
to minimize the real power losses, with a view to improve the voltage stability of the
system has been developed.

4.2.1. Objective Function

The objective function is given 1641 as follows

 Minimize f,(x, y) = loss, (4 I )
5-1

The above function 1s an equality function, where is the control funct~on

governing both the control parameters x and y to minimize the real power loss.

where nl is the number of branches.

x is the cont~nuousvariables. (AVR values),
y is the dlscrete vanables. (OLTC and SC values).
Loss, 1s the power loss (PI) at branch i.

Subject to the following constraints

(i) Voltage constraint in whlch voltagc magn~tudeat each node should he w ~ t h ~ n

their permissible range [64] (V,,,, and V,,,)

v,,, (b) 5 V(b) 5 VnUz

(b) (4.2)
where V,,.(b), V,,(b) are the minimum and maximum limits for the voltagc
magnitude, V(b) at each nodc, b.

(ii) Reactive power constraint In whlch reactive power at each nodc must he
within their permissible ranges [MI (Q,,, and Q,,)

Q,. (b) Q(h) 5- Q,,(b) (4.3)

where Q,,,(b), Q,,(b) are the rn~nimumand maximum llmits for rcactlve
power, Q(b) at each node, b.

(iii) Voltage stability,

A strategy should be provided to keep track of the condition of the

lines in the target power system within an acceptable limit. It is achieved by the
computation of the line stability index [115].
LS. 5 1 (4.4)

where LS, is the line stability index at i~ line or branch.

The wntmt variables in this problem are:

a) AVR operating values (continuous variable)
 b) OLTC tap position (discrete variable)
c) The number of RPCE (discrete variable)

The above variables are treated in load flow calculation as follows: AVR
operating values are formulated from the voltage specification values, OLTC tap
position are generated with the help of tap ratio to each tap position and the number of
reactive power compensation equipment to be connected is calculated hom
corresponding susceptance values.

4.3. VOLTAGE STABILITY ASSESSMENT

The voltage collapse prediction [114] methodology has been presented hased
on line voltage stability index [115]. It is predicted hy estimating the load flow
solution and then calculating the line voltage stability index. Ilence. the I~neswhich
are in stressed conditions can be easily identified. This information can he used as a
basic tool for security monitoring [I 161 ofthe system.

4.3.1. Line Voltage stability index

Most of the indices developed are system-based-or based on bus orientation.

'There has not been much research in case of static voltage stability [ I 171 1 l lR]
assessment via line based voltage stability index.

In this method, an effective procedure for voltage stability assessment

(nearness of the operating point to voltage collapse point) using the exact line voltage
stahility index is developed [ l IS]. The developed index incorporates correctly the
effect of real and reactive power increase scenario in any direction. The mathematical
formulation has been given in Appendix-E. The line stability index values are
computed by incorporating the following equation.
 LS, =
2B Jm 5 I
:--V - B B
2~p,cos(f4-%)-2--Qin(fj,-q)
A

where LS, is termed as voltage stability index of the i" line,

P,. Q, are the real and reactive power at receiving end. respectively. in p.u
VK is the voltage magnitude at sending end in p.u.
A La1 and B L P I are transmission line constants.

As long as the above index is less than unity, the system is stable. L.S, is
termed as voltage stability index oithe line. At collapse point. the value of LS, will he
unity. Based on voltage stability indices, voltage collapse can be accurately predicted.
'l'he lines having high value of the index can he predicted as the critical lines. which
contribute to voltage collapse.

4.4. ALGORITHM OF T H E PROPOSED METHOD

1. Initial search points and velocities are randomly generated for each of the
three variables between their upper and lower hounds.
2. Pl. for each set (one value of AVK, OLI'C and SC') of particles is evaluated
based on the fitness function. If the constraints are violated. penalty is added.
3. Assign the particle's position to pbest position and fitness to pbest fitness.
Identify the best among the pbest's as the gbest.
4. New velocities and new search points (directions) are formulated using the
above equations (2.7) and (2.8). respectively.
If V2Vm" then V = VM"
If V<Vm'" then V= Vm'"
5. PLcorrespondingto the new search points and velocities are evaluated.
6. Compare the best current fitness evaluation with the population's gbest. If the
current value is better than the gbest, reset ghest to the current best position
and fitness value.
7. If the maximum number is reached, the process is stopped. Otherwise go to
step 4.
4.5. SIMULATION RESULTS

The proposed algorithm is applied to Sample 5 bus systems. lEEE -14 bus. 30
bus, 57 bus 118 bus systems [147], Indian Utility-23 bus systems and lndian Utility-
17 bus systems whose data have been given in Appendix-F. 4.-A, -H, -I. -J. The
simulation parameters considered for the above test cases are shown in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1. Parameters used in PSO method - Standard-5, IEEE-14, -30. -57.
-118, Indian utility -23 and -17 bus systems

Parameter Chosen Value

Populat~onsize
Number of iterations
Inertia weight factor W,, = 0.9 and W,,. = 0.4
Velocity limits vma'= I and vmIn = -1

Acceleration coefficients 1 c, = c2 = 2 . 0 ~ - 1

4.5.1. Standard -5 bus system

A standard-5 bus system has 7 branches. 2 generator buses and the rest are the
load buses.

a. Continuous AVK operating values of generators and synchronous

compensators (SCs) are connected at node 2. The upper and lower bounds
of AVR are set to 0.9 and 1.I [p.u].
b. Discrete tap positions of transformer are assumed between nodes 4 and 5.
The transformer is assumed to have 20 tap positions.
c. A discrete synchronous compensator (SC) is installed at node 5. The node
is assumed to have value between 0.954 and 1.038 [p.u] SC.

4.5.2. Standard lEEE systems

In case of standard systems, to forecast the advantages of PSO on them, the

approach presents an analysis of a set of IEEE systems - IEEE-14, -30, -57 and -1 18
bus systems as numerical examples. which enumerate the favorable effects of PSO on
them. The programming conditions for IEEE-14, -30 end -57 bus systems arc as
follows:

IEEE-14 bus system

Continuous AVR operating value is given at node 2. Discrete tap position of
transformers is provided at end nodes 6. 7 and 9. Node 9 is assumed to have three
numbers of 0.1 9 [p.u] SC.
IEEE-30 bus system
Discrete lap positions of transformers are provided at end nodes 9. 10. 12 and
27. Discrete Synchronous Compensator (SCs) are inscalled at nodes 10 and 21. Node
10 is assumed to have three numbers of 0.19 [ p a ) SC and node 24 has three numbers
of 0.043 [p.u] SC.
IEEE-57 bus system
Discrete tap positions of transformers are provided at end nodes 18. 18.20.25.
25. 26, 29, 32. 41, 43. 45, 46, 49, 5 1, 55, 56 and 57. Node 18 is assumed to have three
numbers of 0.10 [p.u] SC, node 25 has three numbers of 0.059 Ip.u] SC' and node 53
has three 0.063 [p.u] SC. The analysis is camed out on P-IV. 700 MI-lz system in a
MATLAB environment.

4.5.3. lndian utility systems

The PSO method has been applied to two real time systems such as the lndian
lltility (IUFNeyveli Thermal Power Slation (N'I 1's)- 23 bus system and lndian utility
(IU) Pondicherry-17 bus system.

lndiau Utility nu)-Neyveli Thermal Power Station (NTPS)-23 bus

system

The programming conditions for this real time system are as follows. The
NLC bus system consists of 23 buses and 22 lines. There are three generator buses,
one slack bus and the remaining are load buses.
 The continuous AVR operating values are given at nodes I. 2, 3 and 4.
Discrete tap positions of transformers are provided at end nodes 5, 6, 7. 8. 9, 10. 11.
12, 13. 14, 15, 16. 17, 18, 19,20,21,22, 23.

Indian Utility (IU) Puducherry-I7 bus system

Puducheny bus system consists of 17 buses and 21 lines. It includes a

generator bus and the rest of them are load buses.

The real power losses. PI ohtained for the test systems using conventional
N-R. G A and proposed PSO based approach are given in Table 4.2. l h e optimal
settings of the control variables for varioug systems are also given in 'l'ahles 4.3. 4.4
and 4.5.

Table 4.2. Comparison of real power losses with different methods

Standard-5 bus .-
IEEE-14 bus 12.0392 1 1.7971
-- 9.6277-
IEEE-30 bus 17.3790 17.2215 16.8264
IEEE-57 bus 27.60 13 27.5595 27.5345

IU-17bus
IU-23 bus
j 2.3674
14.8417
44TTTTTm-~~1.99
34.5928 6.6593

Table 4.3. Optimal control variables - IEEE-14 bus system

/ Bus IEEE-14 Bus System

/ No. AVR 1p.u.j O L T C 1p.u.j I = Ip.u.1
* 1 : 0.19 Lp.u] 1 number of SC is connected for an IEEE-14 bus system

Tabk 4.4. Optimal control variabla - IEEE-30 and -57 bus systems

56 0.9971 -

57 0.9958 -

*3: 0.19 Lp.u] x 3 numhers of SCs are connected and 0.043 [p.u] x 3 numbers of
SCs are connected for IEEE-30 bus system.
' 2 : 0.10 [p.u] ': 2 numbers of SCs are connected, 0.059 [p.u] x 2 numbers of SCs
and
0.063 Lp.u] x 2 numbers of SCs are connected for IEEE-57 bus system.
 Table 4.5. Optimal control variables - IU- NTPSU bus system
Bus No. IU-23Bus System
AVR 1p.u.j OLTC 1p.u.l
1 0.9798 -

The above analysis proves that PSO-based strategy is better than the earlier
conventional techniques.
 System with Bus Location -
Fig. 4.1. Variation of 8oltnge profile for diffirrnt optimkntion methods

An anallhi5 o f the \ ~ l l a g cprolilc ohtilined using thc thrcc niclhoda l i ~ r11.1 1.-
31. -57 and -1 I X huh .;>\tern\ 15 \ho\rn in I ;I 4.1 Sincr \oll:~gr prolilc :II the huws
f 11"' h w i n I1 I I -30. 53" h~15ill 11.1 I - i 7 i111d (31" h115 III I 1 I I - I IN) \IIo\\ a great
\.lrlatlon :many the thrcc methods. the) \\ere \pcc~licallqselected l i ~ the
r plc~t. l h ~ i
~ a p hhtghlights the s~gnificancc01. I'SO ha\cd ilpproach in the sense. thc htratcg)
ollcrh a hiyhcr ~ o l t a y rp. n ~ l i l ecompared to the other I\\() rncth~db

Tnhle 4.6. Solution of stnhilib assessment using line voltnge stability index
- I E K E - I 4 hus nnd It!-NTPS-23 hus systems
 As discussed earlier, if the index value IS less than unity, the system is said to
he stable. From the above Table 4.6. there are 20 lines in case of 1EEI'-14 hus and 22
lines in case of IU-NTPS-23 bus system and each of their index values does not
exceed 1 which indicates that all the lines are secure and thus both the system remain
in stable condition

Fig. 4.2 shows the typical convergence characteristic of IEEE-I 18 bus system.
Here the problem converges at about 7oLhiteration. in which the best PI value is
obtained.
 Fig. 4.2. PSO-based conveqence chnrncteristics - IEEE-118 bus system

1.6. CONCLUSION

The application of the PSO technique for the problem of minimization of real
power loss taking voltage stability into account has been detailed. The proposcd
method also determines a control strategy with continuous and discrete variables such
as AVR operating values. OL'I'C tap positions and the number of RI'CE. The features
ofthis technique are summarized as follows:

i) The power loss is reduced drastically.

ii) The feasibility of the proposed PSO method for the prohlem is demonstrated
for standard IEEE systems and IU real time systems with promising results.
iii) The algorithm has paved the way for realizing an acceptable voltage profile,
by reducing the real power losses.
iv) The technique is fairly simple, in thc sense, that it does not involve any
complicated procedures.