Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems, called FACTS, got in the recent years a well-known term for higher controllability in power systems by means of power electronic devices. FACTS-devices can effectively control the load flow distribution, improve the usage of existing system installations by increasing transmission capability, compensate reactive power, improve power quality, and improve stabilities of the power network. However, the location of these devices in the system plays a significant role to achieve such benefits. This paper presents the application of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) techniques for finding out the optimal number, the optimal locations, and the optimal parameter settings of multiple Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) devices to achieve a maximum system loadability in the system with minimum installation cost of these device. The thermal limits of the lines and the voltage limits for the buses are taken as constraints during the optimization. Simulations are performed on IEEE 6-bus and IEEE 14-bus power systems. The obtained results are encouraging, and show that TCSC is one of the most effective series compensation devices that can significantly increase the system loadability. Also the results indicate that both GA and PSO techniques can easily and successfully find out the optimal variables, but PSO is faster than GA from the time perspective.

Flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) devices are multi-functional control devices which can be used to effectively control the load flow distribution and the power transfer capability, to reduce active power losses, to improve stabilities of the power network, to decrease the cost of power production and to fulfill the other control requirements by controlling the power flow in the network. However to what extent the performance of FACTS devices can be brought out highly depends upon the location and the parameters of the FACTS devices. In this paper, two techniques, a genetic algorithm (GA) technique and a particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique are used to solve this problem. The present research of the paper aims to select the optimal location and the optimal parameter settings of thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) so as to minimize the active power losses in the power network. To show the validity of the proposed techniques, simulations are carried out on several power systems, a three-bus power system, a five-bus power system, and an IEEE-14 bus power system. All the simulations show very encouraging results. The results are presented in the paper together with appropriate discussion.

The electric power sector in countries suffering from crises and wars such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, etc., is among the most affected infrastructures. Since this sector plays a vital role in the economic growth and in improving people’s quality of life, the post-crisis reconstruction of this sector must take into account the requirements and concepts of sustainable development (SD) in addition to technical and economic considerations. This article discusses the role that renewable energy sources (RES) can play in achieving SD in the post-crisis reconstruction phase of the Syrian Electric Power Sector (SEPS) as a case study. Based on the available data, the study period was chosen from 2005 to 2017 and divided into two periods. In the first period (2005–2010), which is the pre-crisis period, the structure of the SEPS and its main characteristics were described while the adoption of RES solutions and SD concepts were investigated. In the second period (2011–2017), the crisis period, the satiation of the SEPS and impact of the crisis were evaluated. The challenges that faced the adoption of SD concepts and RES solution were also addressed at this stage. Based on analysis and comparison of the available data, several scenarios were discussed to evaluate the role of RES in achieving SD in the post-crisis reconstruction phase of the SEPS. EnergyPLAN software was used for the techno and socio-economic evaluation of these scenarios. Our results emphasize the importance of the adoption of RES solutions in the reconstruction phase, as these can help promote SD concepts (reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment, increasing energy efficiency, creating jobs, etc.) and securing the electric supply of the SEPS while enhancing its stability.