Gravitational Search Algorithm Based Technique for Voltage Stability Improvement

Abstract

Voltage instability problem has been known as a significant threat to power system operation since its occurrence can lead to power interruption. This phenomenon can be due to uncontrollable load increment, line and generator outage contingencies or unplanned load curtailment. Optimal reactive power dispatch involving reactive power support can be one of the options for improving voltage stability of a power system, which also requires optimization process. Optimal sizing and location can of reactive power support can avoid the system from experiencing over-compensated or under-compensated phenomena. The presence of optimization techniques has helped solving non-optimal phenomenon, nevertheless some setbacks have also been experienced in terms of inaccuracy and stuck in local optima. This paper presents the application of Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) technique in attempt to solve optimal reactive power dispatch problem in terms of reactive power support for voltage stability improvement. Optimization process tested on IEEE 14-bus Reliability Test System (RTS) has revealed its superiority with significant promising results in terms of voltage stability improvement in the test system.