Optimal Power Flow Using Differential Search Algorithm

Abstract

—In this article, a new nature-inspired metaheuristic technique called the differential search algorithm is proposed to solve the optimal power flow problem. The proposed differential search algorithm has been developed and tested under normal and contingency power system conditions. To show the effectiveness of the proposed method, it has been demonstrated on the standard IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems with different objectives that reflect performance indices of the power system. Obtained results using the proposed technique indicate that the proposed differential search algorithm provides an effective, a robust, and a high-quality solution for the optimal power flow problem. The comparisons of the proposed differential search algorithm results with those reported in the literature reveal the potential and superiority of the proposed algorithm in terms of the optimal solution quality and robustness.

Keywords:

• differential search algorithm
• metaheuristic
• optimal power flow
• power system optimization
• voltage profile
• voltage stability

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Houssem Rafik El-Hana Bouchekara

Houssem Rafik El-Hana Bouchekara received his B.Sc. in electrical engineering from University Mentouri Constantine, Algeria, in 2004; his Master's degree in electronic systems and electrical engineering from Polytechnic School of the University of Nantes, France, in 2005; and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Grenoble Electrical Engineering Laboratory, France, in 2008. After graduation, he joined the Electrical Engineering Department of Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia, for three years. After that he moved to University of Constantine 1, Algeria. He is currently an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department of University of Constantine 1 since 2012. His research interests include power systems, optimization techniques, magnetic refrigeration, electromagnetics, and electric machines.

Mohamed Ali Abido

Mohamed Ali Abido received his B.Sc. (honors with first class) and M.Sc. in electrical engineering from Menoufiya University, Egypt, in 1985 and 1989, respectively; he received his Ph.D. from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, in 1997. He has been with the Electrical Engineering Department, Menoufiya University, as an assistant professor since 1998 and is currently a professor at KFUPM. He is the recipient of the KFUPM Excellence in Research Award in 2002, 2007, and 2012; the KFUPM Best Project Award in 2007 and 2010; the First Prize Paper Award, IEEE Industry Applications Society, in 2003; the Abdel-Hamid Shoman Prize for Young Arab Researchers in Engineering Sciences in 2005; the Best Applied Research Award of 15thGCC-CIGRE Conference, Abu-Dhabi, UAE, in 2006; and the Best Poster Award, ICREPQ’13, Bilbao, Spain, in 2013. He has published more than 250 papers in reputable journals and international conferences. His research interests are power system stability, operation, and optimization techniques.