Optimal power flow using differential evolution algorithm

This paper presents an evolutionary-based approach to solve the optimal power flow (OPF) problem. The proposed approach employs differential evolution (DE) algorithm for optimal settings of OPF control variables. The proposed approach is examined and tested on the standard IEEE 30-bus test system with different objective functions that reflect fuel cost minimization, voltage profile improvement, and voltage stability enhancement. In addition, non-smooth piecewise quadratic cost function has been considered. The simulation results of the proposed approach are compared to those reported in the literature. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach and show its effectiveness and robustness to solve the OPF problem for the systems considered. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.