A differential evolution algorithm based on multi-population for economic dispatch problems with valve-point effects

Abstract

Economic dispatch (ED) problem with valve-point effects of generation units is a non-smooth and non-convex problem. This paper presents a differential evolution algorithm based on multi-population (MPDE) to solve ED problems with valve-point effects. The proposed MPDE algorithm employs the evolutional methodology of multiple populations to overcome the limitations of the traditional differential evolution algorithm. In multiple populations, each population has its mutation strategy and parameters to enhance the searching ability. Moreover, information exchange among multiple populations to increase the diversity of individuals in a single population. In addition, the algorithm also introduces the normal distribution function to dynamically adjust the scaling factor and crossover rate to accelerate convergence speed. The proposed algorithm is tested on the 13-, 40-, 80-, and 140-unit test systems. The simulation results show that the MPDE algorithm can achieve much smaller variances compared with other intelligent algorithms. The proposed algorithm has significant performance in accuracy for solving economic dispatch problems with valve-point effects.