Investigation of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems for Power Loss Mitigation On 33kv Feeders in Akure

A stable operation of transmission lines is critical for achieving optimal transmission, stability of the voltage, and minimizing losses in a developing power system. However, the Akure 33 kV transmission feeders experiences under-voltage conditions, high technical losses, and feeder overloading due to high reactive power demand and insufficient compensation. In this study, a FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission System) technique was used where the efficiency of an optimally designed Static VAR Compensator (SVC) for minimizing losses and improving voltage profiles was assessed. The operational data of the transmission lines were collected and modeled using ETAP, and an optimization model based on a genetic algorithm (GA) was formulated using MATLAB. Load-flow simulations were conducted for two operating conditions: the existing network without compensation (base case) and the improved network with the GA-optimized SVC. Network performance was evaluated using voltage profile, voltage drop, active power losses, and branch loading indices. The base-case results showed significant voltage depression at the Akure Main feeder (91.28%), marginal voltage levels at IJU (95.98%) and Owena (94.50%), and high real power losses concentrated along heavily loaded branches, particularly Line 4 with 8.86 MW. The GA optimization selected the Akure Main feeder as the critical compensation bus and introduced a 20 MVAr SVC rating. After SVC integration, feeder voltages improved from 0.68% to 8.1%, with the Akure Main feeder recovering from 91.28% to 98.70%. Total network real power losses reduced substantially from 89.35% to 6.37%. The highest line losses reduction is noticed on line 4 from 8.86MW to 1.051MW (88.14%) and lowest reduction from 2.517MW to 0.268MW (89.35%). This research concludes that introduction of FACTS-base reactive power compensator (SVC) when properly sized and located using AI-driven techniques provides improved nominal voltage and reduces power losses to accepted limits in 33 kV feeders in Akure transmission corridor. It is advisable to use SVC on a network that is experiencing lower nominal voltage and high power losses.