Load frequency control strategies: A state-of-the-art survey for the researcher

Global analysis of the power system markets shows that load frequency control (LFC) is one of the most profitable ancillary services of these systems. This service is related to the short-term balance of energy and frequency of the power systems and acquires a principal role to enable power exchanges and to provide better conditions for electricity trading. The main goal of the LFC problem is to maintain zero steady-state errors for frequency deviation and good tracking of load demands in a multi-area power system, This paper provides an overview of control strategies for researchers, as well as of their current use in the field of LFC problems. The history of control strategies is outlined. Various control methodologies based on the classical and optimal control, robust, adaptive, self-tuning control, VSC systems, digital and artificial intelligent/soft computing control techniques are discussed. We make various comparisons between these approaches, and the main advantages and disadvantages of the methods are presented. Finally, the investigations of the LFC problem incorporating BES/SMES, wind turbines and FACTs devices have also been discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.