Multi-objective Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch of Power Systems by Combining Classification Based Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm and Integrated Decision Making

Abstract: For the purpose of addressing the multi-objective optimal reactive power dispatch (MORPD) problem, a two-step approach is proposed in this paper. First of all, to ensure the economy and security of the power system, the MORPD model aiming to minimize active power loss and voltage deviation is formulated. And then the two-step approach integrating decision-making into optimization is proposed to solve the model. Specifically speaking, the first step aims to seek the Pareto optimal solutions (POSs) with good distribution by using a multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithm named classification and Pareto domination based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (CPSMOEA). Furthermore, the reference Pareto-optimal front is generated to validate the Pareto front obtained using CPSMOEA; in the second step, integrated decision-making by combining fuzzy c-means algorithm (FCM) with grey relation projection method (GRP) aims to extract the best compromise solutions which reflect the preferences of decision-makers from the POSs. Based on the test results on the IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems, it is demonstrated that the proposed approach not only manages to address the MORPD issue but also outperforms other commonly-used MOO algorithms including multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), preference-inspired coevolutionary algorithm (PICEAg) and the third evolution step of generalized differential evolution (GDE3).