Optimal Tuning of SVC-PI Controller using Whale Optimization Algorithm for Angle Stability Improvement

This paper proposed a new swarm-based optimization technique for tuning conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller parameters of a static var compensator (SVC) which controls a synchronous generator in a single machine infinite bus (SMIB) system. As one of the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices, SVC is designed and implemented to improve the damping of a synchronous generator. In this study, two parameters of PI controller namely proportional gain, KP and integral gain, KI are tuned with a new optimization method called Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). This technique mimics the social behavior of humpback whales which is characterized by their bubble-net hunting strategy in order to enhance the quality of the solution. Validation with respect to damping ratio and eigenvalues determination confirmed that the proposed technique is more efficient than Evolutionary Programming (EP) and Artificial Immune System (AIS) in improving the angle stability of the system. Comparison between WOA, EP and AIS optimization techniques showed that the proposed computation approach gives better solution and faster computation time.