Optimal power flow based upon the Modified Barrier-Augmented Lagrangian Method

The ability to supply power to a load in the cheapest way possible is a goal that utilities have worked toward for many years. To model this problem mathematically one must consider both generation costs and system losses. This is known as the optimal power flow problem (OPF).; Previous approaches to solving the OPF problem have utilized the gradient method and Newton's method. Each of these methods may be used to solve the general OPF problem, but this dissertation presents a new solution approach which utilizes the Modified Barrier-Augmented Lagrangian Method.; Currently, software techniques have been developed to assist utilities to optimize their individual power grids. The best ones appear to use linear programming approaches based on real time information.; This research presents a new non-linear programming software program that is geared to solve optimal power flow problems but can be manipulated to solve general non-linear programming problems. It offers outstanding accuracy within a competitive time frame. Solutions to well-known non-linear programming problems and IEEE test cases are demonstrated to illustrate speed of convergence and accuracy.