Generation Control of Multi-Area Multi-Source Power System using Fire-Fly Algorithm

This article presents automatic generation control (AGC) of an interconnected three area power system having different production sources such as hydropower, thermal and gas power plants. The control areas are provided with single reheat turbine and generation rate constraints of 3%/min. An attempt has been made to apply a Proportional derivative–Proportional integral derivative (PD–PID) cascade controller in AGC. Controller gains are optimized simultaneously using more robust and powerful evolutionary computational technique Firefly Algorithm (FFA). Performance of classical controllers such as Proportional Integral (PI) and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller are investigated and compared with PD–PID cascade controller. Investigations reveal that PI, and PID provide more or less same response where as PD–PID cascade controller provides much better response than the later. The system dynamic performances are studied with 1% and 2% step load perturbation in Area1. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the FFA optimized PD–PID Cascade controller parameters obtained at nominal condition of loading, size and position of disturbance and system parameter (Inertia constant, H) are robust and need not be reset with wide changes in system loading, size, position of disturbance and system parameters.