Improved Frequency Regulation in Microgrids using Metaheuristic Algorithms

This research article describes the frequency regulation of an interconnected power system that includes wind energy systems and thermal non-reheat systems, with a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller optimized using metaheuristic algorithms such as Genetic-Algorithm (GA), Harmony-Search-Algorithm (HSA), Bat-Algorithm (BA), and Flower-Pollination-Algorithm (FPA). With the demand for precisely efficient energy systems growing, system engineers are increasingly looking for the finely optimized control solution that also has the benefit of faster convergence and avoids entrapment in local minimal. To minimize the fitness function which is based on ITAE (Integral of Time multiplied Absolute Error) criteria composed of frequency and tie-line power changes, we have obtained an optimum solution in terms of PID controller gain values using the metaheuristics optimizing techniques. Change in frequency in area 1, deviation in tie-line power, and change in frequency in area 2 obtained from different techniques are compared. The results obtained by simulating MATLAB/Simulink convey that PID controller gain values optimized using the HSA technique provide better dynamic performance compared to BA, FPA and GA techniques. The simulation results have been experimentally validated using hardware-in-loop (HIL) on a real-time simulator based on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA). The HSA optimized PID controller is used to investigate the robustness of the system by Step-Load Perturbation (SLP) and Random Step Load Pattern (RSLP). Results obtained by running simulation also show that the HSA optimized PID controller for the same optimized gain value can withstand the SLP and RSLP variation made in the system.