Objectives   In order to solve the problem of poor convergence and distribution of the existing constrained multiobjective optimization algorithms in solving the ship micro-grid reconfiguration, a constrained multiobjective optimization method based on two-stage differential evolution (TSDE) algorithm is proposed.

  Methods   Firstly, in the first stage, the two-population hybrid method(i.e. self-adaptive penalty function method and feasibility rule)was used to deal with the constraints. Secondly, in the second stage, the two populations generated in the first stage were merged into a single population, and the feasibility rule was adopted to solve the constrained optimization problem. Finally, different elitist selection strategies and improved non-parametric mutation operators were adopted in different stages to further optimize the differential evolution algorithm.

  Results   The simulation results show that the minimum load loss obtained by TSDE algorithm under the fault 1 and the fault 2 is 185 and 940 A lower than that of chaotic migration and parameterless mutation differential evolution (CMPMDE) and environment pareto dominated selection differential evolution(EPDSDE), respectively. The minimum switching operands obtained by the TSDE algorithm are 1 time more than that of CMPMDE algorithm under the fault 1, and are the same as that of EPDSDE algorithm. Under the fault 2, the minimum switching operands of the proposed algorithm are 1 time less than those of CMPMDE algorithm and EPDSDE algorithm.

  Conclusions   The set of optimal non-inferior solutions obtained by TSDE algorithm is closer to the real Pareto frontier and distributes more evenly, so the method can ensure that the ship is operated safely and steadily when the reconfiguration time is satisfied.