Allocation of real power generation based on computing over all generation cost: an approach of Salp Swarm Algorithm

Economic Load Dispatch (ELD) is utilized in finding the optimal combination of the real power generation that minimizes total generation cost, yet satisfying all equality and inequality constraints. It plays a significant role in planning and operating power systems with several generating stations. For simplicity, the cost function of each generating unit has been approximated by a single quadratic function. ELD is a subproblem of unit commitment and a nonlinear optimization problem. Many soft computing optimization methods have been developed in the recent past to solve ELD problems. In this paper, the most recently developed population-based optimization called the Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) has been utilized to solve the ELD problem. The results for the ELD problem have been verified by applying it to a standard 6-generator system with and without due consideration of transmission losses. The finally obtained results using the SSA are compared to that with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. It has been observed that the obtained results using the SSA are quite encouraging.