Solution of multiple UPFC placement problems using Gravitational Search Algorithm

•The optimal placement problems of multiple UPFC solved by GSA.•Fast and steady convergence characteristics of GSA.•Constrained optimization problems solved by GSA.•Cost minimization.•Loss minimization. Optimal power flow is one of the key tasks to be performed in the complicated operation and planning of a power system. The Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is a powerful power electronics device capable of providing complex control of power systems. In this paper, Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) is applied to solve optimal power flow problem in the presence of multiple UPFC devices. The performance of GSA is compared for accuracy and convergence characteristics with heuristic search techniques like Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO), Stud Genetic Algorithm (StudGA), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Probability-Based Incremental Learning (PBIL), on the different cases of standard test systems and real life power system. The tabulated results reveal that GSA has a great capability in handling power system planning and operational problems and to provide good quality solution quickly. The effort of optimal placement of multiple UPFC devices in power system cannot be commonly found in technical literature.