This paper is treating the problem of identifying stability reserves and finding out the best solutions to improve available security margins in order to be at a safe "distance" from a blackout in the analyzed power system. The issue consists in the computation of the stability limits for a power system either with or without using FACTS devices in order to highlight the gain in power system stability and control by using these devices.The key aspects of the well known approaches related to the steady-state stability limits (SSSL) computation is reviewed and an algorithm for SSSL identification, developed by the authors in order to be fitted for power systems planning and operation is also described. A methodology to choose between different locations for a FACTS device in order to increase the security margins of the analyzed power system is going to be proposed. The paper is focusing on the aspects of preventing blackouts by finding out a methodology to establish the need of FACTS devices in a power system. The technical aspects treated here consist in assessing the stability reserves for a power system or for a specific constrained area in a power system (with and without using the FACTS devices) beyond which a blackout might appear.Index Terms-security margins, voltage stability limit, steadystate stability, time domain analysis, stability limits, FACTS devices. PV P Q QV VQ J J J J JAC Florin Emilian Ciausiu is presently Phd student at University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Power Engineering Faculty, Electric Power Systems Department. He has activated as engineer in Tractebel Engineering GDFSUEZ (Energy Division -Power Systems Studies Department) -Bucharest since 2003. His special fields of interest include power systems dynamics, software modeling of power systems, steady-state stability assessment, transient stability assessment, voltage stability, power-frequency control and short circuit computations. Mircea Eremia (M'98, SM'02) received the B.S. and Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest in 1968 and 1977 respectively. He is currently Professor at the Electric Power Engineering Department from University "Politehnica" of Bucharest. His area of research includes transmission and distribution of electrical energy, power system stability and FACTS applications in power systems.