Pathfinder algorithm optimized fractional order tilt-integral-derivative (FOTID) controller for automatic generation control of multi-source power system

This paper introduces a fractional order tilt-integral-derivative (FOTID) controller which is structurally analogous to fractional order proportional-integral-derivative controller in a power system for solving automatic generation control (AGC) problem. It is optimized by a recent metaheuristic optimizer called pathfinder algorithm (PFA). An interconnected two-area power system model comprising of multi-sources like thermal, hydro and gas generating units including physical constraints namely, governor dead band (GDB) and generation rate constraint (GRC) are taken into consideration for the study. The efficiency of the proposed controller for AGC is shown by comparing it with PFA optimized tilt-integral-derivative (TID) and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers with integral of time multiplied absolute error (ITAE) taken as the objective function. Simulation study supports the claim that the proposed controller provides better dynamic responses as compared to the others. Sensitivity and robust analyses are done to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed PFA optimized FOTID controller to a wide variation in system parameters, at different step load and random load disturbances.