Generation expansion planning of the utility with refined immune algorithm

This paper proposes a decision tool for utilities to perform the optimal generation expansion planning in a deregulated electricity market. Combining the immune algorithm (IA) and Tabu search (TS) an refined immune algorithm (RIA) is developed to solve this problem. By considering the various load types (peak load, middle load, basic load) and independent power producers (IPPs) competition, the generation expansion planning model is established under the operational constraints, reliability constraints and CO2 constraints. RIA is conducted by an improved crossover and mutation mechanism with a competition and auto-adjust scheme to avoid prematurity. Tabu lists with heuristic rules are also employed in the searching process to enhance the performance. Testing results show that RIA can offer a better tool for generation expansion planning of utilities and promoted the competition ability of company. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.