Comparison of two metaheuristics with mathematical programming methods for the solution of OPF

Different optimisation methods developed for the solution of the nonlinear OPF problem with both continuous and discrete variables are compared. Two mathematical, programming methods are compared with two metaheuristics, an enhanced genetic algorithm and a particle swarm optimisation implementation. Test results from the application of the methods to several IEEE systems are presented and compared. Useful conclusions are drawn concerning the execution times and the 'optimum' costs provided by all four tested methods.