Optimal Power Flow Using an Improved Electromagnetism-like Mechanism Method

Abstract

In this article, an improved version of the electromagnetism-like mechanism is developed and proposed to find the optimal solution for the optimal power flow problem in a power system. To show the effectiveness of the developed method, it has been demonstrated on standard IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 57-bus test systems for seven different objectives that reflect fuel cost minimization with generators that may have either convex or non-convex fuel cost characteristics, voltage profile improvement, voltage stability enhancement, and active and reactive power transmission losses minimization. The results obtained using the improved version of the electromagnetism-like mechanism method are compared with those obtained using different methods reported in the literature. Considering the quality of these results, the proposed method is a quite promising alternative approach for solving optimal power flow problems.

Keywords:

• optimal power flow
• electromagnetism-like mechanism
• power system optimization
• metaheuristic
• 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. degree 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 3 years. After that, he moved to University of Constantine 1, Algeria. He is currently an associate professor in the Electrical Engineering Department of University of Constantine 1. His research interests include power systems, optimization techniques, magnetic refrigeration, and electromagnetics.

Mohammad Ali Abido

Mohammad 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, and his Ph.D. from KFUPM, Saudi Arabia, in 1997. He has been with the Electrical Engineering Department, Menoufiya University, as an assistant professor since 1998. He is currently a Distinguished University 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 from 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 at 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.

Alla Eddine Chaib

Alla Eddine Chaib is currently a Ph.D. student in the Electrical Engineering Department of University of Constantine 1, Algeria. He received his B.Sc. in electrical engineering from University Mentouri Constantine, Algeria, in 2009. He received the magisterial degree in electromagnetic systems and electrical engineering from the military Polytechnic School of Algeria in 2013. His research interests are OPF, metaheuristics, and electromagnetic compatibility.