Abstract: This paper deals with application of evolutionary algorithm (EA) to solve optimal power flow problem in an efficient manner. In this paper a new approach using cuckoo search (CS) method is proposed for solving OPF problem by optimal setting of control variables. Cuckoo search method is a bio-inspired algorithm based on brooding behaviour of cuckoo birds. This algorithm can search for a global solution using multiple paths. Different objective functions as fuel cost minimization and power loss minimization has been considered for optimal active & reactive power dispatch respectively. The proposed method is implemented and evaluated on the IEEE 30-bus system. The simulation results of the proposed approach are compared to others those reported in the literature. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach and show its effectiveness and robustness to solve the OPF problem.

Keywords: Optimal power dispatch, Cuckoo search method, evolutionary algorithm.