Application of the invasive weed optimization algorithm to economic dispatch problems

Abstract

In this paper the invasive weed optimization algorithm has been applied to a variety of economic dispatch (ED) problems. The ED problem is concerned with minimizing the fuel cost by optimally loading the electrical generators which are committed to supply a given demand. Some involve prohibited operating zones, transmission losses and valve point loading. In general, they are non-linear non-convex optimization problems which cannot be directly solved by conventional methods. In this work the invasive weed algorithm, a meta-heuristic method inspired by the proliferation of weeds, has been applied to four numerical examples and has resulted in promising solutions compared to published results.

Key words： economic dispatch (ED); invasive weed optimization; non-convexity; prohibited operating zones (POZ); valve point loading; meta-heuristic

Acknowledgements

The authors are extremely grateful to the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Presidents of VIT University, Vellore, for providing the excellent infrastructure facilities and encouragement which have made this research work possible.

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