Design and experience with a fuzzy logic controller for automatic generation control (AGC)

This paper describes the design, implementation and operational performance of a fuzzy controller as part of the automatic generation control (AGC) system in Eskom's National Control Centre. The fuzzy controller was implemented in the area control error calculation, which determines the shortfall or surplus generation that has to be corrected. This paper sets out the problems associated with secondary frequency control and AGC. The difficulties associated with optimising the original standard AGC controller, the design, implementation and optimisation of the fuzzy controller and the operational performance of the new controller over two years, are discussed. The fuzzy controller was integrated into the existing off-the-shelf AGC system with only a few modifications. The operational performance over two years showed an overall improvement of over 50% in the reduction of control compared to the original AGC controller, and an initial improvement of 20% in the quality of control of the optimised original controller.