Multicarrier Energy System Optimal Power Flow

This chapter presents a new modified optimization algorithm based on a powerful heuristic method, namely Time Varying Acceleration Coefficient Gravitational Search Algorithm (TVAC-GSA), to solve optimal power flow (OPF) problems in multi-carrier energy systems focusing the interactions between the power grid and the gas network. The proposed algorithm is based on the Newtonian laws of gravitation and motion. Multi-carrier networks are simultaneously optimized to meet demands more efficiently. In general, they include several energy systems, such as electrical and gas infrastructures. The chapter addresses the main complexities associated with the multi-carrier system structure and several dispatched hubs equipped with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units/furnaces/transformers. In order to understand how TVAC-GSA works, it is interesting to compare the main differences between its main structure and well-known heuristic algorithm such as particle swarm optimization (PSO). In both PSO and TVAC-GSA, the optimization is obtained by the agent's movement in the search space.