Variable structure fuzzy gain scheduling based load frequency controller for multi source multi area hydro thermal system

In this paper, variable structure fuzzy gain scheduling is proposed for solving the load frequency control problem of multi source multi area hydro thermal power system. The two control areas are connected via tie line. Each area comprises of both hydro and thermal power plant. The area frequency and tie line power oscillates during load variations are controlled by primary governor controller and secondary Proportional Integral (PI) controller. The PI controller gains are tuned using Ziegler Nichols' (ZN) method and Genetic Algorithm (GA). ZN method is for conventional bench marking and GA is based on search in the space. In both the methods, the gain values of PI controllers are fixed for any system changes and it is not acceptable. This problem is overcome by scheduling the gain based on system changes using Fuzzy Logic. Finally, Variable Structure System of switching P to PI controller during transient to steady state is integrated with fuzzy gain scheduling. On evaluating all the controller performance based on performance indices, variable structure fuzzy gain scheduling provides better response for multi source multi area hydro thermal power system. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.