Distributed optimal load frequency control and balancing authority area coordination

This paper proposes a distributed optimal load frequency control (OLFC) scheme that replicates the behavior of the economic dispatch process in a multi-area power system. Power systems are divided in balancing authority (BA) areas that exercise their own load frequency control to restore the system frequency and real power interchange to desired values. In this paper, we use a simplified model to describe the power system dynamic behavior and propose a coordination scheme between BA areas in an interconnected power system that decreases the regulation amount needed as well as the associated costs by formulating a distributed OLFC system. The proposed control scheme is compared with traditional automatic generation control (AGC) systems, as well as the economic dispatch process. The proposed distributed OLFC system is illustrated through the Western Electricity Coordination Council (WECC) 9-bus 3-machine system.