Hybrid genetic algorithm for economic dispatch with valve-point effect

This paper presents an efficient method for solving the economic dispatch problem (EDP) through combination of genetic algorithm (GA), the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) technique, uniform design technique. the maximum entropy principle, simplex crossover and non-uniform mutation. The proposed hybrid technique uses GA as the main optimizer, the SQP to fine tune in the solution of the GA run. Based on the maximum entropy principle, the cost function of EDP is approximated by using a smooth and differentiable function to improve the performance of the SQP. An initial population obtained by using uniform design exerts optimal performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by carrying out extensive tests on two different EDP with incremental fuel-cost function taking into account the valve-point loadings effects. The result shows that the proposed hybrid genetic algorithm improves the solution accuracy and reliability compared to other techniques for EDP considering valve-point effects. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.