A new intelligent online fuzzy tuning approach for multi-area load frequency control: Self Adaptive Modified Bat Algorithm

Abstract The primary aim of the Automatic Generation Control (AGC) is to maintain system frequency and tie-line interchanges in a predestine limits by regulating the power generation of electrical generators, in case of fluctuations in the system frequency and tie-line loadings. This paper proposes a new online intelligent strategy to realize the control of multi-area load frequency systems. The proposed intelligent strategy is based on a combination of a novel heuristic algorithm named Self-Adaptive Modified Bat Algorithm (SAMBA) and the Fuzzy Logic (FL) which is used to optimally tune parameters of Proportional–Integral (PI) controllers which are the most popular methods in this context. The proposed controller guaranties stability and robustness against uncertainties caused by external disturbances and impermanent dynamics that power systems face. To achieve an optimal performance, the SAMBA simultaneously optimizes the parameters of the proposed controller as well as the input and output membership functions. The control design methodology is applied on four-area interconnected power system, which represents a large-scale power system. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed controller, the obtained results are compared with those of Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller and Optimal Fuzzy PID (OFPID) controller, which are the most recent researches applied to the present problem. Simulation results demonstrate the successfulness and effectiveness of the Online-SAMBA Fuzzy PI (MBFPI) controller and its superiority over conventional approaches.