Application of backtracking search algorithm in load frequency control of multi-area interconnected power system

This paper introduces a new powerful evolutionary algorithm called backtracking search algorithm (BSA) for solving load frequency control (LFC) problem in power system. Initially, two-area non-reheat thermal power plant is considered and gains of PI/PID controllers are optimized using BSA. This paper compares BSA's effectiveness in solving LFC problem with the performances of other optimization techniques reported in the literature. Nonlinearities of power system such as reheater, governor dead band, boiler dynamics and generation rate constraint are included in the system modeling to identify the system stability and its performance is compared with craziness based PSO technique. Additionally, two more test systems namely three-area and four-area hydro-thermal plant with nonlinearity are considered to demonstrate the efficiency of proposed algorithm. The comparative analysis of the performances indicates that the proposed controller gives better results than other techniques available in the literature. Sensitivity analysis showed robustness of proposed controller under loading and parameter uncertainty.