Optimal placement of FACTS devices using probabilistic Particle Swarm Optimization

The identification of optimal locations for 3 Static VAr Compensators (SVCs) in an IEEE 30 bus system is considered in this paper. The problem is drafted as an optimization task and the solution is achieved through a novel optimization method termed as probabilistic Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO). The proposed algorithm is a suitable modification of the standard Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique by incorporating probabilistic particle movement with discrete positions. The performance of the new algorithm is illustrated through extensive computer simulations.