Comparative analysis of optimal load dispatch through evolutionary algorithms

This paper presents an evolutionary algorithm named as Cuckoo Search algorithm applied to non-convex economic load dispatch problems. Economic load dispatch (ELD) is very essential for allocating optimally generated power to the committed generators in the system by satisfying all of the constraints. Various evolutionary techniques like Genetic Algorithm (GA), Evolutionary programming, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Cuckoo Search algorithm are considered to solve dispatch problems. To verify the robustness of the proposed Cuckoo Search based algorithm, constraints like valve point loading, ramp rate limits, prohibited operating zones, multiple fuel options, generation limits and losses are also incorporated in the system. In the Cuckoo Search algorithm, the levy flights and the behavior of alien egg discovery is used to search the optimal solution. In comparison with the solution quality and execution time obtained by five test systems, the proposed algorithm seems to be a promising technique to solve realistic dispatch problems.