An Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization Based Method for Normal and Low Voltage Multiple Load Flow Solutions

A new, simple and reliable load flow method has been developed based on adaptive particle swarm optimization (APSO) technique. A unique and highly adaptive inertia weight factor (AIWF) is designed for load flow problems depending on the sum of the squares of the power mismatches. Similarly, constriction factors are formulated to be adaptive. The method gives reliable convergence for standard as well as ill-conditioned test systems. With the help of local search, the method can also give multiple solutions depending on the starting values of the load flow variables. The test results prove the reliability and robustness of the method.