Multistrategy Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm and Its Application

To address the shortcomings of the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) in terms of insufficient global search ability and slow convergence speed, a differential evolution chaotic whale optimization algorithm (DECWOA) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the initial population is generated by introducing the Sine chaos theory at the beginning of the algorithm to increase the population diversity. Secondly, new adaptive inertia weights are introduced into the individual whale position update formula to lay the foundation for the global search and improve the optimization performance of the algorithm. Finally, the differential variance algorithm is fused to improve the global search speed and accuracy of the whale optimization algorithm. The impact of various improvement strategies on the performance of the algorithm is analyzed using different kinds of test functions that are randomly selected. The particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), butterfly optimization algorithm (BOA), WOA, chaotic feedback adaptive whale optimization algorithm (CFAWOA), and DECWOA algorithm are compared for the optimal search performance. Experimental simulations are performed using MATLAB software, and the results show that the improved whale optimization algorithm has a better global optimization-seeking capability. The improved whale optimization algorithm is applied to the distribution network fault location of IEEE-33 nodes, and the effectiveness and accuracy of the distribution network fault zone location based on the multistrategy improved whale optimization algorithm is verified.