Environmental/Economic Dispatch Using a New Hybridizing Algorithm Integrated with an Effective Constraint Handling Technique

Abstract

This work tackles a relatively new issue in power system operation, known as the Environmental/Economic Dispatch problem. For this purpose, the combination of two powerful heuristic algorithms, namely, the Exchange Market Algorithm (EMA) and Adaptive Inertia Weight Particle Swarm Optimization (AIWPSO), was employed. Additionally, the Multiple Constraint Ranking (MCR) technique was used to address the system constraints such as prohibited operating zones and ramp rate limits. Furthermore, the mutation operator was used to improve the performance of the global search mechanism. The main purpose of combining these two algorithms was utilizing the EMA’s high performance to explore the global optimum and local exploitation ability of AIWPSO. The algorithm performance was evaluated on six standard benchmark functions and was scrutinized on several different test systems, including 6–40 units. By using the proposed method, the minimum values of the reduction in annual costs, with equal or less emissions, compared to other methods, were USD 17,520, 8760 and 10,801,080, respectively, for the 6-unit, 10-unit, and 40-unit test systems (assuming the same load profile throughout the year). Similarly, in the 14-unit test system for 1750, 2150, and 2650 (MW) load demands, these values were USD 229,879, 148,438, and 4483, respectively.