Squirrel Search Algorithm (SSA)-Driven Optimal PID-FOI Controller for Load Frequency Control of Two-Area Multi-Source Power System

This work presents the control concept for dealing with the load frequency control problem of hybrid multi-source power system under different system operating conditions. For diversity, different energy sources are considered in both areas. In area 1, the thermal power plant is used along with hydro and wind power plants. Similarly in area 2, diesel-based plant is considered along with hydro and thermal power plants. Because of the superior convergence characteristic, tuning of different controller’s parameters is optimally tuned with the newly developed Squirrel Search Algorithm (SSA). Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller and proposed PID-Fractional Order Integral (PID-FOI) controller are used for minimizing Area Control Error (ACE) along with frequency variation and tie-line power deviation. Parameters of both the controllers have been optimally tuned with the SSA optimization technique. Integral Time multiplied by Absolute Error (ITAE) performance index is used as the objective function for tuning the controller’s parameters with the SSA optimization technique. The performance of both the controllers tuned with the SSA technique is compared at various system operating conditions. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed SSA-driven PID-FOI controller has been evidenced at different operational shifts in the system.