Optimal power flow solution using water cycle algorithm

Abstract

Optimal power flow (OPF) is known as one of the most important planning and scheduling tools in electrical power systems. The OPF problem is a non-convex, NP-hard optimization problem, therefore, the applications of metaheuristic algorithms in the OPF problem have been gained more attentions in recent years. This article investigates successful application of recently developed optimizer, so called, water cycle algorithm (WCA) on the OPF. The WCA, as a metaheuristic optimization method, is inspired by water cycle process in nature. The IEEE 57-bus test system has been taken into account. The obtained optimization results show the better optimal power flow solution using the WCA compared with the other reported optimization approaches. Therefore, the applied WCA can be considered as an alternative approach for tackling OPF.