Biogeography based optimization algorithms applied to AC transmission expansion planning

The Transmission Expansion Planning (TEP) is still a highly complex, combinatorial, non-linear and non-convex problem, where more accurate models and more efficient optimization tools are needed. The purpose of this work is to solve the static Transmission Expansion Planning (TEP) problem through the Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO) technique using an AC model, for the simultaneous expansion of transmission facilities and reactive power support. The performance of the proposed model was validated for different test scenarios using the Garver 6-bus and the IEEE 24-bus test systems.