An ideal transformer UPFC model, OPF first-order sensitivities, and application to screening for optimal UPFC locations

This paper presents a screening technique for greatly reducing the computation involved in determining the optimal location of a unified power flow controller (UPFC) in a power system. The first-order sensitivities of the generation cost with respect to UPFC control parameters are derived. This technique requires running only one optimal power flow (OPF) to obtain UPFC sensitivities for all possible transmission lines. To implement a sensitivity-based screening technique for guidance in optimally locating a single UPFC in a power system, we propose a new UPFC model, which consists of an ideal transformer with a complex turns ratio and a variable shunt admittance. In this model, the UPFC control variables do not depend explicitly on UPFC input and output currents and voltages. Accordingly, this model does not require adding extra buses for UPFC input and output terminals. IEEE five-, 14- and 30-bus systems were used to illustrate the technique.