An Initialization Procedure in Solving Optimal Power Flow by Genetic Algorithm

The recently published idea of treating voltage angles at generator-buses as control variables enables to obtain voltages at load-buses with less computation. However, application of this approach in solving the optimal power flow problem by genetic algorithms may be ineffective if starting values of voltage angles are selected quite randomly. To overcome these difficulties, a new procedure for selection of an initial set of complex voltages at generator-buses is proposed in this paper. With this procedure, one can start the optimization process (i.e., genetic algorithm) with a set of control variables, causing few or no violations of constraints. The application of voltage angles at generator-buses as control variables and the proposed initialization procedure is illustrated on the IEEE test systems. The obtained results are analyzed and compared with the results from the literature. They are competitive, with computational time drastically reduced.