Optimal active power dispatch using hybrid Firefly Algorithm

This paper presents a hybrid firefly algorithm for power system optimal active power dispatch problem. The active power dispatch is a conventional Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem. The proposed approach combines Firefly Algorithm (FA) with Nelder-Mead (NM) simplex search method. In the proposed hybrid method, the exploration is done using FA and exploitation with NM simplex. The proposed hybrid algorithm can handle the nonlinear, non-convex active power dispatch problem with different constraints like valve point loading effect, prohibited operating zone and voltage dependent load conditions. Simulations are performed on standard IEEE 30 bus system. Comparisons are done with other different relevant approaches. Statistical analysis of results confirms the robustness and consistency of the proposed algorithm.