An improved differential evolution algorithm with priority calculation for unit commitment problem

Unit Commitment Problem (UCP) is a high-dimensional, discrete and non-linear optimization problem which is complicated so that it is difficult to find the optimal solution. This paper proposes a new method, called improved priority differential evolution (IPDE), based on differential evolution algorithm and priority calculation to solve UCP. We increased the speed of convergence and the accuracy of solution by means of adjusting individual, using penalty function and calculating priority. Compared with other algorithms, IPDE obtains better feasible solutions in different complexity.