The invention discloses a short-term load predicting method for an Elman neural network based on an improved ABC
algorithm. The short-term load predicting method comprises the following steps: takinga series of improving measures specific to defects such as low converging speed of an artificial bee colony (ABC)
algorithm and poor developing performance of a searching equation after forward transmission of an input
signal of the conventional Elman neural network, backward transmission of an
error signal and a
delay operator of a carrying layer are fully analyzed, wherein the improving measuresinclude re-designing a searching equation, adjusting the honey searching frequency and changing the selection mechanism of an optimal solution and the like; applying an
optimal weight generated by the improved ABC
algorithm and a threshold value to the Elman neural network to realize short-term load prediction on a power
system, and increasing the load prediction speed; and lastly, implementing aload prediction function in
MATLAB, and optimizing the weight and the threshold value by adopting the improved ABC algorithm according to an experiment result, so that the maximum prediction absoluteerror is lowered remarkably.