Thieves and Police, a New Optimization Algorithm: Theory and Application in Probabilistic Power Flow.

This paper introduces a new meta-heuristic algorithm called Thieves and Police Algorithm (TPA), for solving probabilistic optimization problems. The proposed algorithm is designed in five different phases each following a certain objective. In this algorithm, conventional matters between the thieves' team and the police are inspired as a social phenomenon. Motivation of thieves for stealing more properties is utilized in this algorithm to seek the optimum solution, and police track that result in fear and no risk taking of the thieves to enter areas under police surveillance is inspired to omit areas with weaker solutions. Algorithm optimization procedure ends with apprehending the leader thief by police as the optimum solution. The performance of the TPA is evaluated in terms of local optima avoidance, exploration, exploitation, effectiveness, and convergence properties using a set of classical and modern test functions. Comparing the outcomes of other meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, the successful performance of the TPA in solving different optimization problems is confirmed. Moreover, the efficiency of the TPA in terms of solving problems with probabilistic nature is assessed by solving an optimization problem in power engineering area, known as Probabilistic Power Flow (PPF), in a Micro-Grid with renewable energy resources. Based on the outcomes, the proficiency of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by solving the PPF problem and producing timely acceptable results. Hence, the TPA algorithm is suggested to solve complicated problems, with probabilistic nature, in the optimization field and other optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]