Optimal Network Reconfiguration Using Beetle Antennae Search Based on the Prim Algorithm

Network reconfiguration is always used to find the optimal structure of a distribution network, with less power loss, higher power quality, and better load balancing. In this paper, optimal network reconfiguration using beetle antennae search based on the Prim algorithm is proposed to find the optimal structure of a distribution system. This problem can be formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem and beetle antennae search is used to solve it, applying Prim algorithm to make sure that a radial network structure would remain after reconfiguration and all loads would be energized. Roulette wheel selection is used in the path selection procedure to avoid trapping in local optimum. The proposed method is validated in a system. The results proved that the proposed method completes the integrated optimization of network reconfiguration and leads to significant reduction on the calculation amount and fast convergence, which is suitable for engineering application.