A New Search Algorithm for Calculating the Maximum Loadability of a Transmission System

Abstract

In today’s deregulated electric power systems both government and private utilities are participating in all the available sectors i.e. generation, transmission and distribution. The ownership of each sector may belong to different agencies or companies. In such a scenario the scope of each sector is clearly segregated. A transmission system evacuates electrical power from the generating stations and caters power to different load points. Any shortcoming on the part of the transmission system may prevent the loads from receiving adequate power even in case of availability of adequate generation. As such it is imperative to know the real strength of the existing transmission system to utilise its full capacity and to make necessary improvements of the overall performance of a power system. Technically speaking, the strength of a transmission system is evaluated through loadability studies wherein the total load of the system is maximised without violating operating constraints. Loadability studies play important role in planning a power system since enhancement of the strength of a transmission system by installing new lines require a large capital investment and right-of-way. Hence every effort should be made to utilise the capacity of an existing transmission system to its fullest extent. In the present work a new search algorithm has been proposed to calculate the loadability of a transmission system. This algorithm has then been used to determine the maximum loadability of power systems taken for a sample study.