Optimal locations and sizes of static var compensators using NSGA II

This paper presents an approach to find optimal locations and sizes of static var compensators (SVCs) in transmission systems. The approach comprises two main parts. In the first part, a mixed continuous-discrete multi-objective optimisation problem is formulated in which SVCs locations and sizes are the variables. The second part develops an optimisation method based on NSGA II (non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm) to solve the problem. The outcome will be a set of possible solutions from which the most desirable, based on any nominated criteria, can be selected in a systematic manner. The proposed approach has been successfully tested on IEEE 14-bus system to find the optimal locations and sizes of SVC devices. The obtained results show that with the allocation of SVC devices determined by the proposed method, system security expressed in terms of power flows and voltages in steady-state operation is maintained with an increased margin in both normal state and critical contingencies. © Institution of Engineers Australia 2013.