Network loss minimization with voltage security using differential evolution

This paper presents a differential evolution (DE) based optimal power flow (OPF) for reactive power dispatch in power system planning studies. DE is a simple population-based search algorithm for global optimization and has a minimum number of control parameters. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer non-linear optimization problem taking into account both continuous and discrete control variables. The proposed method determines control variable settings such as generator voltages (continuous), tap positions (discrete) and the number of shunt reactive compensation devices to be switched (discrete) for real power loss minimization in the transmission system using DE algorithm. Most of the evolutionary algorithm applications to optimization problems apply penalty function approach to handle the inequality constraints, involving penalty coefficients. The correct combination of these coefficients can be determined only by a trial and error basis. In the proposed approach, the inequality constraints are handled by penalty parameterless scheme. Voltage security margin was evaluated using continuation power flow (CPF), to ensure the feasibility of the optimal control variable setting. The suitability of the method was tested on IEEE 14 and IEEE RTS 24-bus systems and results compared with sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method. The DE provides near global solutions comparable to that obtained using SQP.