This paper presents a hybrid algorithm based on the slime mould algorithm (SMA) and the mixed dandelion optimizer. The hybrid algorithm improves the convergence speed and prevents the algorithm from falling into the local optimal. (1) The Bernoulli chaotic mapping is added in the initialization phase to enrich the population diversity. (2) The Brownian motion and Lévy flight strategy are added to further enhance the global search ability and local exploitation performance of the slime mould. (3) The specular reflection learning is added in the late iteration to improve the population search ability and avoid falling into local optimality. The experimental results show that the convergence speed and precision of the improved algorithm are improved in the standard test functions. At last, this paper optimizes the parameters of the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) model with the improved method and applies it to the power load forecasting problem. The effectiveness of the improved method in solving practical engineering problems is further verified.
Keywords: Bernoulli chaotic mapping; Lévy flight; short-term load forecasting; slime mould algorithm.