In order to solve the problems of the traditional whale optimization algorithm, such as slow convergence speed, low optimization precision and easy to fall into the local optimal solution, an improved algorithm combining elite disturbance opposition-based learning and dynamic spiral updating (OWOA) was proposed. Firstly, the whale population is initialized by opposition-based learning strategies to ensure the diversity of the population , and then elite whales are multiple chaos disturbed to avoid falling into local optimal solution; Secondly, the algorithm uses a dynamic spiral updating strategy, and dynamically adjusts the spiral shape with the iteration times, thus improving the optimization accuracy of the algorithm. Finally, using 12 classic reference functions, CEC2014 test set and CEC2017 test set to evaluate the effectiveness of OWOA. In addition, optimum power flow(OPF) is employed for estimating the efficacy of the OWOA in practical applications. The experimental results show that:compared with other algorithms, the algorithm in this paper has higher convergence speed and accuracy in unimodal function, multi-peak function and multi-dimensional function, and which is more competitive in providing optimal solutions for optimization problems.