This paper presents a newly developed hybrid optimization algorithm for solving the problem of Economic Dispatch (ED) for a multi-generator system.

The hybrid algorithm named ACO–ABC–HS combines the framework of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) and Harmonic Search (HS) algorithms to find the optimized solution for the system.

The performance of this hybrid algorithm is compared with those of conventional ED solving techniques like Gradient Search as well as other evolutionary algorithms namely ABC, ACO, HS and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO).

Valve point loading, environmental emissions, line losses and ramping rate constraints have been included in the ED analysis to provide more practical results.

The algorithm’s performance is also tested for Multi-Area Economic Dispatch (MAED) with tie-line constraints.