Performance Comparative Evaluation of Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms for Optimal Placement of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System Device

Flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices are becoming part of the modern network because of their importance in power network parameter control. However, the optimal device placement and parameter settings are crucial to achieving the set objectives. Therefore, this study investigates the most efficient metaheuristic optimization algorithm between particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the firefly algorithm (FA) in allocating a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) controller for the multi-objectives of loss minimization and voltage violation mitigation. The efficient algorithm is the one whose applications in device allocation will result in effective system loss and bus voltage violation minimizations in the network. Meanwhile, the choice of a static synchronous compensator out of FACTS devices was as a result of its reactive power compensation capabilities, while PSO and FA were considered because of their computational efficiencies among other metaheuristic algorithms. The simulations were implemented on an IEEE 14-bus system utilizing the MATLAB package. Active power loss minimizations of 0.43 and 0.73 MW were achieved when STATCOM was optimized with PSO and FA, respectively. Therefore, the achievements in power losses and voltage deviation reductions in this case indicate some advantages of FA over PSO. Besides, the effectiveness of metaheuristic algorithms in FACTS device allocation has also been demonstrated in this study.