Enhanced Load Frequency Control Using PSO-Tuned PID Controller in Two-Area Interconnected Power Systems

LFC is significant in controlling stability within interconnected power systems, and many techniques are available in the literature for this process. This paper proposes an application of PSO for tuning PID controllers to improve LFC in two areas of thermal power systems. Both areas are interfaced with PSO-tuned PID controllers, and the tuning parameters are optimized using PSO to enhance response characteristics. The newly derived method is compared to the traditional Ziegler-Nichols tuning method for validation. The simulation results present that the proposed method of tuning the PID controllers with the help of the PSO algorithm provides better control with minimized settling time and number of oscillations, thereby validating the method. All the simulations are carried out in MATLAB/SIMULINK and offer a general system to assess the effectiveness of the controller in the multi-area power system.