pA metaheuristic is a consistent set of ideas, concepts, and operators to design a heuristic optimization algorithm, which can provide a sufficiently good solution to an optimization problem with incomplete or imperfect information. Modern and emerging power systems, with the growing complexity of distributed and intermittent generation, are an important application for such methods.p pThis book describes the principles of solving various problems in power engineering via the application of selected metaheuristic optimization methods including genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and the gravitational search algorithm. Applications covered include power flow calculation optimal power flow in transmission networks optimal reactive power dispatch in transmission networks combined economic and emission dispatch optimal power flow in distribution networks optimal voltvar control in distribution networks optimal placement and sizing of distributed generation in distribution netw