EFFECTS OF FILTERING AREA CONTROL ERROR SIGNALS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMATIC GENERATING CONTROL SYSTEMS

In the study of Automatic Generating Control (AGC) systems, Area Control Error (ACE) is considered a single parameter which takes into account all of the settings and variables concerning the regulating requirements of an area in a multi-area interconnected power system. For good control the ACE should remain near zero. Since ACE signals are very random in nature and contain high frequency noise, it is necessary to include some signal processing and filtering of the ACE to reduce the unwanted components before sending it to the input of the Load Frequency Controller (LFC) to issue control commands to the generators participating under AGC. Based on a simple two-area model, dynamic responses are given of the area control of a system comprising both controlled and uncontrolled generation mix (thermal and hydraulic); and discussed with particular emphasis on tuning of the LFC parameters for improved AGC performances under both the step and random load disturbances