Kartik Chandra Patra, Asutosh Patnaik
The primary objective in a power system is to maintain a stable supply of both active and reactive power during steady-state operation. This involves generating and delivering power reliably across an interconnected network while ensuring economic efficiency, and keeping voltage and frequency within acceptable limits. To achieve the goals of minimizing frequency deviation, reducing steady-state error, and ensuring the fastest response time, various models and controllers have been explored and tested in the context of Load Frequency Control (LFC). After thorough evaluation, a suitable and relatively general model was selected, and tests were conducted using this system model. In practice, problems occur when power demand exceeds the generated power. Variations in real power primarily impact the system frequency, which is also influenced by deviation in voltage magnitude. With the expansion of interconnected power systems, LFC has become increasingly important. Controllers in these interconnected systems play a important role in maintaining both frequency and voltage magnitude within specified permissible limits in response to small changes in load demand. Building on a clear understanding of various models—such as a two-area interconnected power system using both conventional and intelligent controllers, a robust PID controller for a single-area reheat thermal power plant optimized with Elephant Herding Optimization, and a two-area LFC system with graphical user interface integration—these systems were tested in an autonomous state to evaluate their responses during transient and steady-state oscillations. The steady-state oscillations were effectively stabilized using a high-frequency, deterministic dither signal. Finally, stabilization through the high-frequency signal combined with a digital deadbeat control approach was tested, aiming to achieve a transient-free, ripple-free response with zero steady-state error in the shortest possible time.