A novel distributed particle swarm optimization algorithm for the optimal power flow problem

The distributed optimal power flow problem is addressed. No assumptions on the problem cost function, and network topology are needed to solve the optimization problem. A distributed particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed, based on Deb's rule to handle hard constraints. Moreover, the approach enables to treat a class of distributed optimization problems in which the agents share a common optimization variable. Under mild communication assumptions, agents are only required to know local variables, cost function, and constraints to solve a common optimization problem. A simulation example is provided, based on a 5-bus electric grid.