Optimal placement of distributed power flow controller for loss reduction using firefly and genetic algorithm

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 09 | September-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 90
OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF DISTRIBUTED POWER-FLOW
CONTROLLER FOR LOSS REDUCTION USING FIREFLY AND
GENETIC ALGORITHM
P.Ramesh1
, M.Damodara Reddy2
1
Research Scholor, Department of EEE, SVU College of Engineering, S V University, Tirupati, A.P., India.
2
Professor&Head, Department of EEE, SVU College of Engineering, S V University, Tirupati, A.P., India.
pramesheee@yahoo.co.in
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to reduce power loss and improve the voltage profiles in an electrical system in optimal manner. The
flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) device such as Distributed power flow controller (DPFC) can strongly improve the
different parameters in a power system. DPFC can be used to reduce line losses and increase voltage profiles. The optimized
allocation of FACTS devices is an important issue, so the Voltage stability index (L-index) has been used in order to place UPFC
in power system. The advantage of the L-index is to accelerate the optimization process. After placing the DPFC, Firefly
optimization method is used for finding the rating of DPFC. The results obtained using Firefly optimization method is compared
with Genetic Algorithm. To show the validity of the proposed techniques and for comparison purposes, simulation carried out on
an IEEE- 14 Bus and IEEE- 30 Bus test system for different loading conditions.
Keywords: Distributed power flow controllers (DPFC), Optimized Placement, Voltage stability index (L-index),
Firefly optimization method, Genetic algorithm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------***----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. INTRODUCTION
Most large power system blackouts, which occurred
worldwide over the last twenty years, are caused by heavily
stressed system with large amount of real and reactive
power demand and low voltage condition. When the
voltages at the system buses are low, the losses will also be
increased. This study is devoted to develop a technique for
improving the voltage and minimizing the loss and hence
eliminate voltage instability in a power system [1].
Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC), Thyristor
Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer (TCPST) and Static
Var Compensator (SVC) can maintain voltage in the power
system as well as, can control the active power through a
transmission line [2,].
Distributed Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is a versatile
FACTS device which can independently or simultaneously
control the active power, the reactive power, and the bus
voltage to which it is connected [2]. Dr. Xin-She Yang [12]
have presented Firefly algorithm is to determine the
parameters of FACTS devices. In this paper, an approach to
find the optimal location of DPFC by using Voltage stability
index (L-index) to improve the load ability of the lines,
minimize the total losses and improve the voltage profiles
using Firefly optimization is presented. The results are
compared with the GA optimization. Testing of the
proposed approach is carried out on IEEE 14 and IEEE 30-
bus system [14].
2. DPFC MODEL
Fig.1: DPFC schematic diagram
The flow chart for DPFC is shown in Fig.1 Similar as the
UPFC, the DPFC consists of shunt and series connected
converters. The shunt converter is similar as a STATCOM,
while the series converter [2] [11] employs the Distributed
Static series compensator (DSSC) concept, which is to use
multiple single-phase converters instead of one three-phase
converter. Each converter within the DPFC is independent
and has its own DC capacitor to provide the required DC
voltage. The DPFC is derived from the Unified Power-Flow

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Controller (UPFC). The DPFC can be considered as a UPFC
with an eliminated common dc link. The active power
exchange between the shunt and series converters, which is
through the common dc link in the UPFC, is now through
the transmission lines at the third-harmonic frequency.
3. OPTIMAL LOCATION FOR DPFC
In order to find the optimal location for the DPFC to be
placed the bus which is mostly affected during faults has to
be identified. With the increased loading of transmission and
distribution lines, voltage instability problem has become a
concern and serious issue for power system planners and
operators. [9][10]The main challenge of this problem is to
narrow down the locations where voltage instability could
be initiated and to understand the origin of the problem. One
effective way to narrow down the workspace is to identify
weak buses in the systems, which are most likely to face
voltage collapse and transmission line losses. [7][3].
Voltage stability index:
Consider a 𝑛-bus system having 1, 2, 3 … 𝑛, generator
buses (𝑔), and 𝑔 + 1, 𝑔 + 2…𝑛, the load buses (𝑟 = 𝑛 − 𝑔 −
𝑠). The transmission system can be represented by using a
hybrid representation, by the following set of equations: [8]
i
j ij
j1
1
g
i
V
L F
V
   (1)
Where j=g+1… n and all the terms inside the sigma on the
right hand side complex quantities. The complex values of
are obtained from the matrix of power system. For a
given operating condition:
G GG GL G
L LG LL L
I V
I V
Y Y
Y Y
    
     
    
(2)
Where and represent complex current and
voltage vectors at the generator nodes and load nodes
       , , ,GG GL LG LLY Y Y Y are corresponding partitioned
portions of the matrix.
This analysis will be carried out only for the load buses;
hence the index obtained is for load buses only. For stability
the index L must not be more than 1 for any of the nodes j.
The global index for stability of the given power system is
defined to be L= maximum of L j for all j (load buses). The
index far away from 1 and close to 0 indicates voltage
stability. The L index will give the scalar number to each
load bus. Among the various indices for voltage stability
and voltage collapse prediction (i.e. far away from 1 and
close to 1 or >1 respectively), the L index will give more
accurate results. [4]
4. FIREFLY OPTIMIZATION METHOD
Firefly algorithm (FA), proposed by Xin-She Yang at
Cambridge University. Firefly Algorithm [12, 13] is a
metaheuristic, nature-inspired optimization algorithm which
is based on the social flashing behavior of fireflies. The
firefly algorithm [12] has three particular idealized rules
which are based on some of the major flashing
characteristics of real fireflies. The characteristics are as
follows:
[1]. All fireflies are unisex and they will move towards
more attractive and brighter ones regardless their sex.
[2]. The degree of attractiveness of a firefly is proportional
to its brightness which decreases as the distance from
the other firefly increases. This is due to the fact that
the air absorbs light. If there is not a brighter one or
more attractive firefly than a particular one, it will then
move randomly.
[3]. The brightness or light intensity of a firefly is
determined by the value of the objective function of a
given problem. For maximization problems, the light
intensity is proportional to the value of the objective
function.
3.1 Attractiveness
In the firefly algorithm, the form of attractiveness function
of a firefly is given by the following monotonically
decreasing function:
0( ) *exp( ), 1m
r r m     (3)
Where, r is the distance between any two fireflies,
β0 is the initial attractiveness at r =0, and γ is an absorption
coefficient which controls the decrease of the light intensity.
2. Distance
The distance between any two fireflies i and j at positions xi
and xj respectively can be defined as:
2
, ,
1
( )
d
ij i j i k j k
k
r X X X X

    (4)
Where is the component of the spatial coordinate
of the firefly and d is the number of dimensions.
3. Movement
The movement of a firefly i which is attracted by a more
attractive i.e., brighter firefly j is given by:
2
i(new) i(old) 0 ij i j
1
V =V +β *exp(-γr )*(X -X )+α(rand- )
2
(5)
Where the first term is the current position of a firefly, the
second term is used for considering a firefly‟s attractiveness
to light intensity seen by adjacent fireflies and the third term
is used for the random movement of a firefly in case there
are no brighter ones. The coefficient α is a randomization
parameter determined by the problem of interest, rand is a
random number generator uniformly distributed in the space
[0, 1].

_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. FIREFLY ALGORITHM
Step 1: Read the system data such as, Load bus values,
Generator bus, slack bus and all other values.
Step 2: Initialize the parameters and constants of Firefly
Algorithm. They are noff, αmax, αmin, β0, γmin, γmax and
itermax (maximum number of iterations).
Step 3: Identify the candidate buses for placement of UPFC
using L-index.
Step 4: Generate randomly „n‟ number of fireflies. Where
each fireflies between ( ) and ( ). Each
represented as rating of the device. Set iteration count to 1.
Step 5: By placing all the n UPFC of each Firefly at the
respective candidate locations and load flow analysis is
performed to find the total real power loss .The same
procedure is repeated for the „nop‟ number of particles to
find the total real power losses. Fitness value corresponding
to each particle is evaluated using the equation (6) for
maximum loss reduction. Fitness function for maximum loss
reduction is given by:
, normal , PFCL L DFV P P  (6)
Step 6: bestP values for all the fireflies are obtained from the
fitness values and the best value among all the bestP values
( bestG ) is identified.
Step 7: Error is calculated different between the Maximum
fitness and average fitness values are is called the Error.
Error = (maximum fitness - average fitness)
If this error is less than a specified tolerance then go to step
13.
Step 8: Determine the values of each firefly using the
following equation:
best bestijr G FV P FV  (7)
is obtained by finding the difference between the best
fitness value bestG FV and bestP FV of the ith firefly.
Step 9: New values are calculated for all the
fireflies using the following equation (5):
2
i(new) i( old ) 0 ij i j
1
V =V +β *exp(-γr )*(X -X )+α(rand- )
2
(8)
Where, is the initial attractiveness γ is the absorption co-
efficient rij is the difference between the best fitness
value bestG and fitness value FV of the ith firefly. α (iter) is
the randomization parameter ( In this present work, α (iter)
value is varied between 0.4and 0.9).
Rand is the random number between 0 and 1.
Step 10: Update the position of firefly by adding the
velocity.
, 1 , (new)i k i k iP P V   (9)
Step 11: New fitness values are calculated for the new
positions of all the fireflies. If the new fitness value for any
firefly is better than previous bestP value then bestP value
for that firefly is set to present fitness value. Similarly
bestG value is identified from the latest bestP values.
Step 12: The iteration count is incremented and if iteration
count is not reached maximum then go to step 3.
Step 13: bestG firefly gives the optimal UPFC sizes in n
candidate locations and the results are printed.
Data used for Firefly: nop = 100; ,
, , , =1, T=100.
6. GENETIC ALGORITHM
Genetic Algorithm (GA) is one of the most famous meta-
heuristic optimization algorithms which is based on natural
evolution and population. Genetics which is usually used to
reach to a near global optimum solution. In each iteration of
GA (referred as generation), a new set of string (i.e.
chromosomes) with improved fitness is produced using
genetic operators (i.e. selection, crossover and mutation) [5]
[6].
6.1 Selection
In proposed GA, method of tournament selection is used for
selection. This method chooses each parent by choosing
(tournament size) players randomly and choosing the best
individual out of that set to be a parent.
6.2 Cross Over
Cross over allows the genes from different parents to be
combined in children by exchanging materials between two
parents. Cross over function randomly selects a gene at the
same coordinate from one of two parents and assign it to the
child. For each chromosome, a random number is selected.
If this number is between 0.01 and 0.3, two parents are
combined; else chromosome is transferred with no cross
over. [9]
6.3 Mutation
GA creates mutation children by randomly changing the
genes of individual parents. In this paper, GA adds a random
vector from a Gaussian distribution to the parents. For each
chromosome, random number is selected. If this number is
between 0.01 and 0.1, mutation process is applied; else
chromosome is transferred with no mutation. [10]
Fig.2: Genetic Algorithm flow chart

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Data used for GA:
Number of variables: 2, Length of variables: 2, Number of
chromosomes: 30, Maximum number of generations: 300.
7. SIMULATION RESULTS
7.1 Results of 14 bus system:
The proposed firefly algorithm is tested for IEEE-14 Bus
systems. IEEE 14 bus system [14] contains 5 generator
buses (bus numbers: 1,2,3,6 and 8), 9 load buses (bus
numbers:4,5,7,9,10,11,12,13 and14) and 20 transmission
lines. This test conducted for optimal location of DPFC on
load buses, rating of DPFC and real power losses before and
after placement DPFC for normal and 150% loading
scenario using Firefly algorithm and compare Genetic
algorithm shown in below.
Voltage stability index (L-index) gives weak buses like
9 ,10 ,14th th th
So DPFC placed in these buses.
Table 1: Total real power loss with and without DPFC in Genetic and Firefly Algorithm
Loss
Value
Normal load condition 125% load condition 150% load condition
Before DPFC
Real power
losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
Before DPFC
Real power
losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
Before DPFC
Real power
losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
Total
Loss
(GA)
13.574 13.374 23.004 22.263 36.023 34.667
Total
Loss
(FF)
13.575 13.377 23.004 22.218 36.023 33.723
Table 1 shows the total real power loss with and without
DPFC in Genetic and Firefly algorithm.
Table 2: Total reactive power loss with and without DPFC in Genetic and Firefly Algorithm
Loss Value
Normal load condition 125% load condition 150% load condition
Before DPFC
Real power
losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
Before DPFC
Real power
losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
Before DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC Real
power losses
(M.W)
Total Loss
(GA)
28.541 28.151 67.621 64.541 120.772 115.615
Total Loss
(FF)
28.541 27.931 67.621 63.217 120.772 108.806
Table 2 shows the total reactive power loss with and without
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
1.01
1.02
1.03
1.04
1.05
1.06
1.07
1.08
1.09
1.1
1.11
number of buses
voltages
before placement of DPFC devices
after placement of DPFC devices
Fig.3: Voltage profile before and after placement of DPFC
Normal load in GA
Simulation Results for normal, 125% and 150% load
conditions with and without DPFC in Genetic Algorithm as
shown in the Fig.3, Fig.4 and Fig.5.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
number of buses
voltages
for 125% load in GA

_______________________________________________________________________________________
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
0.92
0.94
0.96
0.98
1
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.1
number of buses
voltages
for 150% load in GA
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
1.01
1.02
1.03
1.04
1.05
1.06
1.07
1.08
1.09
1.1
1.11
number of buses
voltages
for normal load in FA
conditions with and without DPFC in Firefly Algorithm as
shown in Fig.6, Fig.7 and Fig.8.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
number of buses
voltages
for 125%load in FA
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
0.92
0.94
0.96
0.98
1
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.1
1.12
number of buses
voltages
for 150%load in FA.
7.2 Results of 30 bus system:
IEEE 30 bus system[14] contains 6 generator buses (bus
numbers: 1, 2, 5 ,8, 11, and 13), 24 load buses (bus numbers
: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 ,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30) and 41 transmission lines.
DPFC is placed in optimal location on load buses, rating of
DPFC and real power losses after DPFC placement for
normal 125% and 150% loading scenario using Firefly
algorithm and comparing with Genetic algorithm is shown.
Table 3: Total real power loss with and without DPFC in
Genetic and Firefly Algorithm
Loss
Valu
e
Normal load
condition
125% load
condition
150% load
condition
Befor
e
DPF
C
Real
powe
r
losse
s
(M.
W)
After
DPF
C
Real
powe
r
losse
s
(M.
W)
Befor
e
DPF
C
Real
powe
r
losse
s
(M.
W)
After
DPF
C
Real
powe
r
losse
s
(M.
W)
Befor
e
DPF
C
Real
powe
r
losse
s
(M.
W)
After
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W)
Tota
l
Loss
(GA
)
17.52
3
17.47
2
29.84
2
29.64
3
46.93
2
47.702
4
Tota
l
Loss
(FF)
17.52
3
17.47
1
29.84
2
29.15
4
46.93
2
44.553
Table 3 shows the total real power loss with and without
Table 4: Total reactive power loss with and without DPFC
in Genetic and Firefly Algorithm
Loss
Valu
Normal load
condition
125% load
condition
150% load
condition

_______________________________________________________________________________________
e Befor
e
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W
)
After
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W
)
Befor
e
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W
)
After
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W
)
Before
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W)
After
DPFC
Real
power
losses
(M.W)
Tota
l
Loss
(GA)
22.18
5
22.16
6
72.56
3
72.49
9
138.78
1
142.95
1
Tota
l
Loss
(FF)
22.18
5
22.18
2
72.56
3
66.05
8
138.78
1
123.88
4
Table 4 shows the total reactive power loss with and without
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0.98
1
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.1
number of buses
voltages
Normal load in GA
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0.94
0.96
0.98
1
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.1
1.12
number of buses
voltages
for 125% load in GA
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
1.15
number of buses
voltages
for 150% load in GA
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0.98
1
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.1
number of buses
voltages
for normal load in FA
.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0.94
0.96
0.98
1
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.1
1.12
number of buses
voltages
for 125% load in FA

_______________________________________________________________________________________
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
number of buses
voltages
for 150%load in FA
8. CONCLUSION:
In this paper, a two-stage methodology of finding the
optimal location and sizes of Unified Power Flow Controller
for Real and Reactive power compensation of standard
tested IEEE-14 and IEEE-30 Bus system is presented.
Voltage stability index approach is proposed to find the
optimal Distributed Power Flow Controller locations and
firefly and Genetic algorithms is proposed to find the
optimal sizes of Distributed Power Flow Controller. Based
on the simulation results, the following conclusions are
drawn: By installing Distributed Power Flow Controller at
all the potential locations, the total real and reactive power
loss of the system has been reduced significantly and at
same bus voltages are improved substantially. The proposed
Firefly optimization iteratively searches the optimal
Distributed Power Flow Controller size for improve the
voltage values reduced power losses more compare to the
Genetic Algorithm. The coding of Firefly method is simple
compare to the GA. Because the Firefly method has no
evolution operators such as cross over and mutation, which
appears in GA method.
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