Differential evolution algorithm for emission constrained economic power dispatch problem

In this paper, a differential evolution (DE) algorithm is developed to solve emission constrained economic power dispatch (ECEPD) problem. Traditionally electric power systems are operated in such a way that the total fuel cost is minimized regardless of emissions produced. With increased requirements for environmental protection, alternative strategies are required. The proposed algorithm attempts to reduce the production of atmospheric emissions such as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, caused by the operation of fossil-fueled thermal generation. Such reduction is achieved by including emissions as a constraint in the objective of the overall dispatching problem. A simple constraint approach to handle the system constraints is proposed. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested on standard IEEE 30-bus system and is compared with conventional methods. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for solving the emission constrained economic power dispatch problem.