| This research work presents the application of the Differential Evolution Optimization Algorithm for solving various complex power systems problems: Reactive Power Planning, Congestion Management in Restructured Power Systems, State Estimation with Phasor Measurement Units and with Equality and Inequality Constraints, and Intelligent Power Routers Based Controlled Islanding Scheme.; Due to their non-continuous, non-differentiable and highly nonlinear nature; these problems are difficult or impossible to solve using the main classical optimization techniques. In order to show the flexibility and applicability of the Differential Evolution algorithm for solving these complex problems, the proposed solution methodologies were tested and validated through standard test systems with satisfactory results. The solutions obtained were compared with those obtained by means of other traditional and evolutionary optimization techniques available in the literature reviewed.; Finally, we provide specific recommendations regarding to the correct adjustment of the Differential Evolution control parameters, which may lead to very successful results in complex and large scale optimization problems, in a reasonable computational time. |
