Stable matching-enhanced MOEA/D for solving multi-objective optimal power flow problems

• First application of stable matching in multi-objective power flow optimization. • Superior performance in maintaining solution diversity and convergence. • Accurate approximation of the Pareto front for OPF problems. • Efficient optimization for power system operations. • Improved results in minimizing costs and emissions. Optimal Power Flow (OPF) plays a fundamental role in the secure and efficient management of power systems, both in system design and real-time operation. Existing OPF approaches often struggle with the problem’s non-linearity, non-convexity, and mixed-variable characteristics, which hinder convergence and compromise solution diversity. This paper addresses these challenges by applying a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) enhanced with stable matching theory . The proposed method ensures a balanced and effective trade-off between solution accuracy and diversity in multi-objective optimization. Comparative evaluations against well-established algorithms demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approach in approximating the Pareto front, improving computational efficiency, and maintaining solution diversity. The results highlight the effectiveness of the method in addressing OPF problems with conflicting objectives such as cost minimization, loss reduction, and voltage stability enhancement. This research provides a new perspective on applying stable matching mechanisms into evolutionary algorithms for power system optimization.