A Robust Cascade Controller for Load Frequency Control of a Standalone Microgrid Incorporating Electric Vehicles

Abstract

Intermittency in the output power of renewable and green energy sources (RGES) and low inertia of a standalone microgrid (SMG) result in large frequency deviations. Use of energy storage systems (ESSs) alleviate the SMG frequency deviations in an adorable manner but their high cost and low power density calls for alternative sources to balance the mismatch between power supply and demand. In recent years, utilization of the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) to minimize the frequency deviations has gained a lot of attention. Consequently, this paper proposes a robust and newly developed bio-inspired Salp Swarm Optimization (SSO) algorithm based PI-PD cascade controller for load frequency control (LFC) of the SMG integrated with the EVs. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed controller, its performance has been compared with other well-known controllers and algorithms considering diverse SMG operating scenarios. Simulation results distinctly prove the superiority of the proposed controller over the other controllers. Also, robustness of the proposed controller has been tested subject to ±50% variation in certain SMG parameters. Results clearly justify the robustness of the proposed controller. Additionally, operational stability of the SMG has been appraised through Eigenvalue and Bode diagram analysis for all the scenarios.

Keywords:

• cascade control
• electric vehicle
• energy storage systems
• integral square error
• load frequency control
• PI-PD cascade controller
• renewable and green energy sources
• salp swarm optimization
• standalone microgrid
• total energy model

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bhuvnesh Khokhar

Bhuvnesh Khokhar received his B.E. (Hons.) in Electrical Engineering from Chhotu Ram State College of Engineering, under Maharshi Dayanand University, Haryana, India in 2010 and M. Tech. (Hons.) in Power Systems from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, Haryana in 2012. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor in Department of Electrical Engineering, Greater Noida Institute of Technology, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. His research interests include load frequency control, microgrids, optimization algorithms and renewable energy.

Surender Dahiya

Surender Dahiya received the B.E. and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Chhotu Ram State College of Engineering, under Maharshi Dayanand University, Haryana, India and M.Tech. degree from Regional Engineering College Kurukshetra, Haryana, India in 1990, 2008 and 1999, respectively. Currently, he is working as Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology (DCRUST), Haryana. Prior to this, he was Lecturer in Hindu Institute of Technology, Haryana, India from 1995 to 2006. He also worked as an Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, DCRUST, Haryana, India from 2006 to 2015. His research interests include power system operation and control, electrical power quality, and renewable energy.

K. P. Singh Parmar

K. P. Singh Parmar received the B.E. (Hons), M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees from Govt. Engineering College, Rewa, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India, respectively. Presently, he is working as Deputy Director (Technical) with National Power Training Institute (Ministry of Power, Govt. of India), Faridabad. Prior to this, he has worked as an Assistant Professor with the Electrical Engineering Department, JSS Academy of Technical Education, NOIDA (UP), India. He has contributed several research papers in the National/International Journals and Conference Proceedings. He has contributed a chapter on “AC Machines” included in the book on “Principles of Electrical and Electronics Sciences” published by IGNOU, New Delhi. He has also authored a book on Management of Transmission System. His research interest includes automatic generation control, load scheduling & dispatch, microgrid, power system optimization and control, power quality and renewable energy.