A Comprehensive Shakedown of an Automatic Generation Control Process

The software in an automatic generation control (AGC) system is typically in charge of all other elements of the process. The number of AGC input/output variables depends on the number of units under control. At AEP, there are about 200 variables for most system scenarios. Analysis for one half hour of system operation, at the 2-s AGC cycle rate, therefore requires examination of about 180000 data values. Together with findings and some suggested revisions of practices, a methodology for such an analysis is described. The plotted data sets show that many signals need enhancement or calibration. The ability for plotting all important operating data has established a strong bias on which the cause of many unexplained and/or undesired characteristics of the EP AGC can now be explored. >