Differential search algorithm for different economic dispatch problem

This paper presents a Differential Search (DS) algorithm to solve the complex economic load dispatch (ELD) problems. DS algorithm utilizes the Brownian-like random-walk movement used by an organism to migrate. Prime focus of ELD is minimization of fuel costs of thermal generators, involving different constraints such as power balance, ramp rate limits and prohibited operating zone etc. The performance of DS algorithm for solving ELD problems is evaluated and examined by simulating two different small and medium test systems and one large test case system. Simulation results for different test systems show that the computational times and fuel costs obtained by DS are much lesser than many other algorithms reported in the previous literatures.