Security-constrained unit commitment using particle swarms

This investigation presents a novel approach for solving security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) problems. These problems involve the development of generation schemes for a power system while adhering to a set of operational constraints. As SCUC planning involves a time-varying, nonlinear, mixed-integer problem, conventional techniques are unable to provide adequate results. The proposed methodology therefore employs a hybrid approach that includes particle swarm optimization (PSO) - a technique based on biologically-inspired methodologies that has been shown to be computationally inexpensive.