Optimal Allocation of UPFC to Minimize Real Power Losses using Firefly Algorithm

Reducing the loss of real power and maintaining the system voltage under limits are challenging and major problems in a power system network. Thus, it is desired to adapt an effective method that could clear up these problems or reduce it to the minimal level. Controllers with FACTS, for instance Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) can effectively enhance the various power system parameters. This paper proposes a new meta-heuristic algorithm known as firefly algorithm (FA) which is used to select the optimal location and sizing of UPFC , which minimizes the total real power losses and to maintain the voltage under limits, there by maintaining the power system stability. On the IEEE 14 bus system the performance of the proposed method is examined by taking into account the 125%, 150%, 175% and 200% overloading cases.