Security constrained optimization for power systems

Secure power system operation is obtained, to a large extent, by on-line monitoring of the system assessing its security, and providing control action to improve its security level. Traditionally, the economy of system operation was the overriding factor. By combining economy with security, the problem becomes quite complex from the points of view of: (a) Methodology of security assessment (b) Overall objectives of system optimization, and (c) Computational feasibility for on-line analysis. In this paper, an overview of the application of optimization theory to this problem is examined. A critical analysis of a selected subset of methodologies is provided.