Distribution Network Reconfiguration Based on Niching Techniques Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

Distribution network reconfiguration is an important tool to optimize the operating conditions of a distribution network. Niche Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (NBPSO) Algorithm is proposed to overcome the defect of PSO prematurity for distribution network reconfiguration. In view of distribution network switch location in order, the weighted hamming distance is redefined for dividing different niche groups. Different niche groups are optimized using PSO, and particles in renewal groups are adapted by sharing mechanism. An IEEE 33-bus radial distribution test system is taken as a study system for performing the test. The results reveal the strong global searching of the proposed method for solving the problem.