Solution of economic dispatch problems by seeker optimization algorithm

Seeker optimization algorithm (SOA), a novel heuristic population-based search algorithm, is utilized in this paper to solve different economic dispatch (ED) problems of thermal power units. In the SOA, the act of human searching capability and understanding are exploited for the purpose of optimization. In this algorithm, the search direction is based on empirical gradient by evaluating the response to the position changes and the step length is based on uncertainty reasoning by using a simple fuzzy rule. The effectiveness of the algorithm has been tested on four different small, as well as, large scale test power systems to solve the ED problems. The outcome of the present work is to establish the SOA as a promising alternative approach to solve the ED problems in practical power systems. Both the near-optimality of the solution and the convergence speed of the algorithm are promising. The results obtained are compared with those published in the recent literatures.

► Four test systems of the economic dispatch problem are solved with the seeker optimization (SOA) and the best results obtained are presented in this paper. ► The best results obtained by adopting the SOA are compared with those published in the recent papers. ► Considering the quality and the improved convergence speed of the solution as obtained, application of the SOA in solving the ED seems to be a promising alternative approach for practical power systems.