Evolutionary Multiobjective Optimization of Kernel-Based Very-Short-Term Load Forecasting

A useful tool for the efficient management of the electric power grid is the accurate, ahead-of-time prediction-of-load demand. A novel methodology for very-short-term load forecasting is introduced in this paper, and its performance is tested on a set of historical, demand-side, 5-min data. The approach employs an ensemble of kernel-based Gaussian processes (GPs) whose predictions constitute the terms of a linear model. Adoption of a set of cost functions assessing model accuracy allows the formulation of a multiobjective optimization problem with respect to model coefficients. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to search for a solution based on the previous step data while Pareto optimality theory provides the necessary conditions to identify an optimal one. Thus, it is the optimized linear model that yields the final prediction over the designated time interval. The proposed methodology is examined on 5-min-interval predictions for 30-min-ahead horizon. It is compared with support vector regression (SVR) and autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models as well as the independent GP forecasters on a set of six cost functions. Results clearly promote the proposed forecasting method not only over individual GPs but also over SVR and ARMA.