Improved Music Based Harmony Search Algorithm for Optimal Network Reconfiguration

Distribution network reconfiguration is a complex combinatorial optimization process aimed at finding a radial operating structure that minimizes the system power loss, deviation of node voltages and service restoration while satisfying operating constraints. A Music Based Harmony Search algorithm (MBHS) is a recently developed algorithm which is conceptualized using the musical process of searching for a perfect state of harmony. It uses a stochastic search instead of a gradient search. In this paper, an Improved Music Based Harmony Search (IMBHS) algorithm is proposed to solve the network reconfiguration problem in order to minimize the power loss. Constant Complex Matrix Power Flow method is used to solve the radial distribution system. The proposed approach is tested on standard IEEE 33-bus system. The results are compared with MBHS algorithm and it is observed that the proposed method performed well in terms of the quality of solution.