Optimum Placement of Facts Devices on an Interconnected Power Systems Using Particle Swarm Optimisation Technique

Abstract

The increasing demand for electrical power has led to significant challenges in maintaining voltage stability and meeting reactive power requirements in modern power systems, particularly in Nigeria. This study investigates the optimal placement of STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) devices in the Gombe 132 kV, 12-Bus transmission network using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique. The power network is modelled and simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK with the Power System Analysis Toolbox (PSAT) to assess the impact of STATCOM placement on voltage profile enhancement. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of STATCOM in mitigating voltage drops and enhancing reactive power control across the network. The study optimizes Bus-12 as the optimal location for STATCOM placement, resulting in improved voltage levels within the IEEE standard limits of 0.95 ≤ V ≤ 1.05 p.u. The findings highlight the potential of PSO-based optimization for enhancing power system stability and reducing transmission losses, offering valuable insights for improving the reliability of the Nigerian power grid.