Umar Zahid, Muhammad2017-12-132017-12-132016https://escholar.umt.edu.pk/handle/123456789/2276Supervised by:Professor Dr. A. Aziz BhattiThe importance of economic load dispatch (ELD) problems in electric power operation emphasizes to be solved effectively so that an efficient plan for power generation could be developed for a given load demand. In real life scenarios, non-linearity and complexity of ELD cost function make it a hideous task to be solved effectively. In this research work, a nature inspired optimization algorithm (Krill Herd Algorithm (KHA)) is efficiently implemented for different ELD problems involving complex and convex functions. Different test systems of thermal power generating units involving active power limits, transmission loss, and valve point loading constraints are considered for the implementation of the optimization algorithm. A statistical comparison of the results obtained by the implemented algorithm with different optimization techniques already developed is also made to analyze the efficiency of the KHA. By comparing the outcomes, it is observed that the implemented KHA is far better in robustness and efficiency than other previously implemented algorithms. Fuel cost optimization response of KHA is also better than other algorithms in studies. Simulations of implemented algorithm for different test systems are obtained by MATLAB. Inclusion of different real time constraints involved in ELD problems makes this implementation an effective and reliable factor in practical field.enOptimization algorithmEmphasizesMS ThesisThesis