Economic Power Dispatch using Particle Swarm Optimization

The optimal power flow (OPF) is being used to find the optimal setting to operate the system. When operating cost is minimized, the generator schedule is calculated by OPF. Traditionally, the cost function of each generator is represented by a simple quadratic function. However thermal units are sometimes made to run on multiple fuels like coal, natural gas and oil. The work reported in this paper is carried out with the objective to make use of particle swarm optimization (pso) method for solving the optimal power flow (OPF) problem for units. The objective function in the OPF problem has been decided as minimization of total cost of real power generation. The performance of the proposed method has been demonstrated under simulated conditions on 5-Bus system with 3- Generation units. The problem has been formulated as a single optimization problem to obtain the solution for optimal power flow problem with combined fuel cost and environment impact as objectives compared favorably with results of other methods.