Enhancing Voltage Stability in Renewable-Integrated Indian Utility System: A Multi-Objective FACTS Placement Approach Using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Kangeyam Institute of Technology, Tiruppur, India.

2 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology Puducherry, Karaikal, India.

Abstract

Voltage stability remains a significant challenge in renewable-integrated power systems due to the intermittent and variable nature of solar and wind energy. This study presents a multi-objective optimization framework to enhance voltage stability by strategically placing Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFCs). The approach prioritizes improving voltage profiles, increasing loadability margins, and minimizing power losses to ensure reliable system performance in hybrid renewable environments. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) systematically evaluates and ranks potential UPFC placements based on multiple decision criteria, effectively addressing integration challenges and system constraints. The methodology is validated using a modified Indian utility 62-bus system with high renewable energy penetration under diverse operating conditions. Results indicate a 17.24% improvement in voltage stability margin, a 17.72% reduction in active power loss, and a 6.53% decrease in reactive power loss compared to conventional placement methods. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach in enhancing voltage stability, reducing losses, and improving overall system reliability. This work provides a robust decision-making tool for utilities and stakeholders aiming to optimize voltage stability in modern, renewable-rich power grids.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. J. Jacob, “A background history of the sustainable development goals,” Sustain. Dev., pp. 1–13, 2024.
  2. A. T. Hachemi et al., “Modified reptile search algorithm for optimal integration of renewable energy sources in distribution networks,” Energy Sci. Eng., vol. 11, no. 12, pp. 4635–4665, 2023.
  3. S. Maihemuti, W. Wang, H. Wang, and J. Wu, “Voltage security operation region calculation based on improved particle swarm optimization and recursive least square hybrid algorithm,” J. Mod. Power Syst. Clean Energy, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 138–147, 2021.
  4. A. Alshareef, R. Shah, N. Mithulananthan, and S. Alzahrani, “A new global index for short-term voltage stability assessment,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 36114–36124, 2021.
  5. K. Anthony and V. Arunachalam, “Voltage stability monitoring and improvement in a renewable energy dominated deregulated power system: A review,” e-Prime Adv. Electr. Eng. Electron. Energy, vol. 11, p. 100893, 2025.
  6. K. Anthony and V. Arunachalam, “Application of cascaded neural network for prediction of voltage stability margin in a solar and wind integrated power system,” Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell., vol. 138, p. 109368, 2024.
  7. V. Ajjarapu and B. Lee, “Bibliography on voltage stability,” IEEE Trans. Power Syst., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 115–125, 1998.
  8. S. K. Gupta et al., “Optimal sizing of distributed power flow controller based on jellyfish optimizer,” J. Oper. Autom. Power Eng., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 69–76, 2024.
  9. A. N. Zubidi, B. Ismail, I. M. A. Al Hamrounni, N. H. A. Rahman, and M. H. H. M. Rozlan, “The impact of integrating multi-microgrid system with FACTS devices for voltage profile enhancement and real power loss reduction in power system: A review,” Pertanika J. Sci. Technol., vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 633–653, 2023.
  10. S. K. Gupta and S. K. Mallik, “Enhancement in voltage stability using FACTS devices under contingency conditions,” J. Oper. Autom. Power Eng., vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 365–378, 2024.
  11. S. Nascimento and M. M. Gouvêa, “Multi-objective adaptive evolutionary algorithm to enhance voltage stability in power systems,” Int. J. Control Autom. Syst., vol. 19, no. 7, pp. 2596–2610, 2021.
  12. N. Rani and T. Malakar, “A reactive power reserve constrained optimum reactive power dispatch using coronavirus herd immunity optimizer,” Electr. Power Compon. Syst., 2022.
  13. M. T. Khan et al., “Optimal placement of multiple distributed generators using a novel voltage stability indicator employing arithmetic optimization algorithm,” Comput. Electr. Eng., vol. 110, p. 108853, 2023.
  14. A. Naganathan and V. Ranganathan, “Improving voltage stability of power system by optimal location of FACTS devices using bio-inspired algorithms,” Circuits Syst., vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 805–813, 2016.
  15. S. K. Dheebika and R. Kalaivani, “Optimal location of SVC, TCSC and UPFC devices for voltage stability improvement and reduction of power loss using genetic algorithm,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Green Comput., Commun. Electr. Eng. (ICGCCEE), pp. 1–6, 2014.
  16. K. Juneja, “A fuzzy-controlled differential evolution integrated static synchronous series compensator to enhance power system stability,” IETE J. Res., vol. 68, no. 6, pp. 4437–4452, 2022.
  17. X. Shen, H. Luo, W. Gao, Y. Feng, and N. Feng, “Evaluation of optimal UPFC allocation for improving transmission capacity,” Glob. Energy Interconnect., vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 217– 226, 2020.
  18. M. El-Azab, W. A. Omran, S. F. Mekhamer, and H. E. A. Talaat, “Allocation of FACTS devices using a probabilistic multi-objective approach incorporating various sources of uncertainty and dynamic line rating,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 167647–167664, 2020.
  19. S. S. Padaiyatchi, “Hybrid DE/FFA algorithm applied for different optimal reactive power dispatch problems,” Aust. J. Electr. Electron. Eng., vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 203–210, 2020.
  20. B. Singh, V. Mukherjee, and P. Tiwari, “GA-based optimization for optimally placed and properly coordinated control of distributed generations and static var compensator in distribution networks,” Energy Rep., vol. 5, pp. 926–959, 2019.
  21. S. K. Mahmoudi, M. E. H. Golshan, and R. Zamani, “Coordinated voltage control scheme for transmission system considering objectives and constraints of network and control devices,” Electr. Power Syst. Res., vol. 192, p. 106908, 2021.
  22. S. K. Effatpanah et al., “Comparative analysis of five widely used multi-criteria decision-making methods to evaluate clean energy technologies: A case study,” Sustainability, 2022.
  23. Y. Amrane and N. E. Y. Kouba, “A multiobjective optimal VAR dispatch using FACTS devices considering voltage stability and contingency analysis,” in Predictive Modelling for Energy Management and Power Systems Engineering, pp. 1–26, Elsevier, 2021.
  24. A. Ishizaka and A. Labib, “Review of the main developments in the analytic hierarchy process,” Expert Syst. Appl., 2011.
  25. T. Chen, G. Liu, and S. Ahmed, “Exploring challenges in implementing sustainable energy solutions and green tourism for eco-industrial parks in China,” J. Renew. Sustain. Energy, vol. 16, no. 6, 2024.
  26. M. S. Syed, C. V. Suresh, and S. Sivanagaraju, “Impact of renewable sources on electrical power system,” J. Oper. Autom. Power Eng., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 261–268, 2024.
  27. M. T. Hoq, M. A. A. Murad, M. Rokonuzzaman, and N. Hossain, “Assessing impact of large scale integration of wind and solar PV power generation on small signal and transient stability,” in Proc. 4th Int. Conf. Electr. Eng. Inf. Commun. Technol. (iCEEiCT), pp. 483–488, 2018.
  28. F. Milano, L. Vanfretti, and J. C. Morataya, “An open source power system virtual laboratory: The PSAT case and experience,” IEEE Trans. Educ., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 17–23, 2008.
  29. B. Vijay Kumar and V. Ramaiah, “Enhancement of dynamic stability by optimal location and capacity of UPFC: A hybrid approach,” Energy, vol. 190, p. 116464, 2020.
  30. N. H. Ikeli, C. E. Ashigwuike, and I. I. Alabi, “Investigation of the impact of PSO, ABC, BFO and Cuckoo search optimization techniques on UPFC device for sustainable voltage stability margin improvement,” J. Electr. Syst. Inf. Technol., vol. 10, no. 1, p. 27, 2023.
  31. O. Herbadji, “Optimal power flow using firefly algorithm with consideration of FACTS devices “UPFC”,” Int. J. Electr. Eng. Inform., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 12–28, 2015.
  32. H. H. Goh, B. C. Kok, H. T. Yeo, S. W. Lee, and A. A. Mohd Zin, “Combination of TOPSIS and AHP in load shedding scheme for large pulp mill electrical system,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 47, pp. 198–204, 2013.
  33. T. Witkowski, P. Antczak, and A. Antczak, “Multi-objective decision making and search space for the evaluation of production process scheduling,” Bull. Pol. Acad. Sci., Tech. Sci., vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 195–208, 2009.
  34. A. Mazza, G. Chicco, and A. Russo, “Optimal multiobjective distribution system reconfiguration with multi-criteria decision making-based solution ranking and enhanced genetic operators,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 54, pp. 255–267, 2014.
  35. S. Liu, Q. Zhao, M. Wen, L. Deng, S. Dong, and C. Wang, “Assessing the impact of hydroelectric project construction on the ecological integrity of the Nuozhadu nature reserve, southwest China,” Stoch. Environ. Res. Risk Assess., 2013.
  36. T. L. Saaty, “A scaling method for priorities in hierarchical structures,” J. Math. Psychol., vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 234–281, 1977.
  37. A. Awasthi and S. S. Chauhan, “Using AHP and Dempster– Shafer theory for evaluating sustainable transport solutions,” Environ. Model. Softw., vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 787–796, 2011.
  38. F. Milano, L. Vanfretti, and J. C. Morataya, “An open source power system virtual laboratory: The PSAT case and experience,” IEEE Trans. Educ., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 17–23, 2008.
  39. N. Rani and T. Malakar, “A reactive power reserve constrained optimum reactive power dispatch using coronavirus herd immunity optimizer,” Electr. Power Compon. Syst., 2022.
  40. O. A. Ajeigbe, J. L. Munda, and Y. Hamam, “Optimal allocation of renewable energy hybrid distributed generations for small-signal stability enhancement,” Energies, vol. 12,
    no. 24, p. 4777, 2019.
  41. A. Raj and A. K. Chandel, “Enhancement of voltage profile/stability by optimal placement of UPFC,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Convergence Technol., pp. 1–6, 2022.
  42. F. Aydin and B. Gümüs¸, “Comparative analysis of multicriteria decision making methods for the assessment of optimal SVC location,” Bull. Pol. Acad. Sci. Tech. Sci., p. 140555, 2022.
  43. T. T. Wondie and T. G. Tella, “Voltage stability assessments and their improvement using optimal placed static synchronous compensator (STATCOM),” J. Electr. Comput. Eng., vol. 2022, 2022.
  44. B. H. Al-Majali and A. F. Zobaa, “A novel optimal allocation of STATCOM to enhance voltage stability in power networks,” Ain Shams Eng. J., vol. 15, no. 5, p. 102658, 2024.
  45. M. Nasouri Gilvaei, H. Jafari, M. Jabbari Ghadi, and L. Li, “A novel hybrid optimization approach for reactive power dispatch problem considering voltage stability index,” Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell., vol. 96, p. 103963, 2020.
  46. J. Liu, Y. Xu, and J. Qiu, “Non-network solution coordinated voltage stability enhancement with STATCOM and UVLS for wind-penetrated power system,” IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1559–1568, 2020.
  47. G. Saha, K. Chakraborty, and P. Das, “Enrichment of voltage stability in power system through novel generalized approximate reasoning based intelligent control with African buffalo optimization approach,” Soft Comput., vol. 27, no. 11, pp. 7473–7496, 2023.
  48. R. Verma and A. Rathore, “Optimal placement of FACTS device considering voltage stability and losses using teaching learning based optimization,” J. Inst. Eng. (India) Ser. B, vol. 102, no. 4, pp. 771–776, 2021.
Journal of Operation and Automation in Power Engineering

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 18 July 2026

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 21 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 25 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 08 April 2025
  • First Publish Date: 18 July 2026

Share

How to cite

Statistics