Coordinated voltage control in renewable energy integrated power systems using ant colony optimization

Abstract

Abstract Navigating the complexities of modern power systems with a high share of renewable energy sources (RES) requires effective control strategies. This research presents a new Coordinated Voltage Control (CVC) framework for RES-integrated grids by combining Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) with a Deep Q-Network (DQN) controller. In this hybrid approach, ACO optimizes voltage profiles while DQN adjusts reactive power support in real-time, allowing for quick responses to grid conditions. The proposed method significantly improves voltage stability and reduces system losses, showing strong performance under different renewable generation and load scenarios. The ACO and DQN framework also shows good computational efficiency, achieving convergence in about 45 to 50 iterations. By using historical and simulated data for DQN training, the controller predicts the best reactive power actions, ensuring scalable and reliable voltage regulation. This work provides a practical and flexible solution for modern power systems rich in renewables, supporting better grid stability and operational efficiency.