Evolutionary algorithm in the problem of SO2 emission reduction

Abstract

This work deals with the regional-scale strategy for air pollution abatement. The pivotal role in the presented approach plays the problem of optimal allocation of financial means for the long-term reduction of SO2 concentration in a given region. This problem is formally stated as a costconstrained minimization of the environmental damage function during the accepted time horizon. The optimal distribution of financial means for desulfurization technologies within the predefined set of controlled pollution sources is a difficult computational problem, thus a specialized evolutionary algorithm has been prepared to solve it. The proposed evolutionary method is equipped with a specialized encoding of solutions with properly designed genetic operators and a quite complicated method of fitness function computation considering imposed financial constraints. The test computations have been performed for the major power plants in Silesia Region (Poland).