Optimal distribution network configuration using improved backtracking search algorithm

Optimal network configuration is one of the effective approaches for power loss reduction of the distribution network. This paper shows a network reconfiguration method using improved backtracking search algorithm (IBSA). Wherein, IBSA is improved in the process of generating randomly the initialization population. The network reconfiguration method based on IBSA is used to find the optimal network configuration for the 33-node and 69-node systems. The results are compared to the original backtracking search algorithm (BSA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), firefly algorithm (FA) and previous approaches. From the compared results, IBSA can determine the optimal network configuration with higher success rate than BSA, PSO, FA and lower power loss than other previous approaches. As a result, IBSA is an effective approach for finding the optimal network configuration