Artificial Algae Algorithm with Multi-Light Source Movement for Economic Dispatch of Thermal Generation

Economic Dispatch (ED) is one of the major concerns for the efficient and economical operation of the modern power system. Actual ED problem is non-convex in nature due to Ramp Rate Limits (RRL), Valve-Point Loading Effects (VPLE), and Prohibited Operating Zones (POZs). It is generally converted into a convex problem as mathematical programming based approaches cannot handle the non-convex cost functions except dynamic programming, which also suffers from the curse of dimensionality. Heuristic techniques are potential solution methodologies for solving the non-convex ED problem. Artificial Algae Algorithm (AAA), a recent meta-heuristic optimization approach showed remarkable results on certain MATLAB benchmark functions but its application on industrial problem such as ED is yet to be explored. In this paper, AAA is used to investigate convex and non-convex ED problem due to valve-point effects and POZs while considering the transmission losses. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach are validated by implementing it on IEEE standard test systems (3, 6, 13 and 40 unit Test Systems), which are widely addressed in the literature. The simulation results are promising when compared with other well-known evolutionary algorithms, showing the potential and stability of this algorithm.