Optimal Design of Discrete Output Feedback Control Using Genetic Algorithm for a Multi Area Power System

In this paper, a design of an optimal output feedback controlfor decentralized Load Frequency Controllers (LFC) of a multi-areainterconnected power system using Genetic Algorithm (GA), ispresented. The original system is decomposed into subsystems (areas).A Local Output Feedback Controller (LOFC) is designed for eachsubsystem and its relative optimal gain matrix is derived using GA.The proposed approach is implemented on a three-area interconnectedpower system and could be extended to more areas in differentconfigurations (radial, ring). The system performance is analysed bysimulating different disturbances. Effectiveness is shown through acomparative study with the Conventional Integral Control (CIC) fordifferent operating conditions and a wide-range variation in thesystem parameters with the presence of the turbine Generation RateConstraints (GRC) nonlinearity.