Investigation of Nonlinear Tie Line Bias Control of Interconnected Power Systems

Present Automatic Generation Control schemes utilize a linear tie line bias characteristic. Due to non-linearities in the connected load and governor dead bands the actual system response characteristic is non-linear. Therefore, a linear tie line bias characteristic does not match the actual system response characteristic. This mismatch causes unnecessary fuel consumption and increased wear and tear on generators. Tom Kennedy of Union Electric estimates that $ 50,000,000 could be saved annually in the eastern interconnected system in fuel savings alone if the control characteristic matcped the actual system frequency response characteristic.