Power system optimization approach to mitigate voltage instability issues: A review

Voltage instability is a major challenge facing power system (PS) that has affected some organizations in achieving their desired goals. Therefore, voltage instability is the incapability of the PS to maintain the voltage standard under no disturbance and after subjecting to disruption. This paper describes the voltage instability phenomena; voltage stability indices include Line Stability Index (BVCPI), Line voltage stability index, Fast Voltage Stability Index (FVSI), line stability factor (LQP), Bus voltage collapse prediction index (BVCPI), L index, voltage stability index (VCP-1), and so on. This review focuses on some stability indices that could identify the weak bus in the electrical PS network. The application of particle swarm optimization (PSO) to minimize losses that cause voltage instability is discussed. It started a detailed understanding of the power blackouts and the detrimental effects on the global economy. This was followed by a thorough understanding of the voltage instability/stability phenomenon, classification in power systems, and the corresponding formulations. The study presents an overview of voltage assessment techniques prior to applying PSO in discrete and multi-objective optimization and the corresponding advantages over others. These are followed by the progress and advances in voltage stability using PSO involving single and hybrid optimization methods. Lastly, to bridge the research gaps, the present study highlighted challenges and future prospects to foster further advancement in the field.