Comparison of Genetic Algorithm and Harmony Search for Generator Maintenance Scheduling

• Main Authors: Laiq Khan, Sidar Mumtaz, Amjadullah Khattak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mehran University of Engineering and Technology 2012-10-01
• Series: Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology
• Subjects: GMS; Power System; Optimization; GA; HS Algorithm
• Online Access: http://publications.muet.edu.pk/research_papers/pdf/pdf691.pdf

GMS (Generator Maintenance Scheduling) ranks very high in decision making of power generation management. Generators maintenance schedule decides the time period of maintenance tasks and a reliable reserve margin is also maintained during this time period. In this paper, a comparison of GA (Genetic Algorithm) and HS (Harmony Search) algorithm is presented to solve generators maintenance scheduling problem for WAPDA (Water And Power Development Authority) Pakistan. GA is a search procedure, which is used in search problems to compute exact and optimized solution. GA is considered as global search heuristic technique. HS algorithm is quite efficient, because the convergence rate of this algorithm is very fast. HS algorithm is based on the concept of music improvisation process of searching for a perfect state of harmony. The two algorithms generate feasible and optimal solutions and overcome the limitations of the conventional methods including extensive computational effort, which increases exponentially as the size of the problem increases. The proposed methods are tested, validated and compared on the WAPDA electric system.