ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a review of the works done in the area of optimization of high-voltage field and discusses a few specific application examples that involve classical optimization techniques as well as techniques based on artificial neural network (ANN) and evolutionary algorithms. The criterion most commonly used for the optimization of electrode contour is the minimization of the normal component of the electric field intensity on the surface of the electrodes, as it increases the discharge initiation voltage. The basic principle of electrode optimization method suggested by J. Liu and J. Sheng was that the electrode was divided into two parts: the fixed part and the part to be optimized. The optimization process was started by choosing an initial contour from not only electrical considerations but also considering mechanical, thermal and other technical constraints. Major saving in computation time was achieved in References by coupling a trained ANN in the optimization loop.
