A new evolutionary algorithm based on sheep flocks heredity model and its application to scheduling problem

A new evolutionary computation algorithm based on sheep flocks heredity is proposed. The algorithm simulates heredity of sheep flocks in a prairie. The algorithm is developed for solving a large scale scheduling problem for a period of several successive years. It is found that the proposed algorithm referred to as the multi-stage genetic operation can find better solutions than those of the simple genetic algorithm through thermal generator maintenance scheduling examples.