The Optimal Strategy of SO2 Emission Abatement Based on Evolutionary Algorithm

Abstract

The paper deals with a problem of optimal allocation of financial means for the long-term reduction of SO2 concentration in a given region. The problem is formally stated as a cost-constrained minimization of the environmental damage function during the predefined time horizon. The optimal choice of desulfurization technologies in a given time interval, within the predefined set of the controlled power and heating plants is a difficult, integer-type optimization task, thus evolutionary algorithm has been chosen to solve it. The method has been implemented and tested on the real data for Silesia Region (Poland), with the set of the basic desulfurization technologies, which are to be allocated to the major power plants located in the region. Several versions of the imposed financial constraints and the related emission abatement strategies have been considered.