Supporting load frequency control process by using adaptive model reference virtual inertia controller when connecting renewable energy plants

Abstract

Virtual inertia control can be used in combination with conventional load frequency controllers to support the system's inertia against the attenuation caused by renewables. As fractional-order controllers add more degrees of freedom, leading to a better response and improved controller robustness, this work proposes the implementation of a developed fractional-order model reference adaptive virtual inertia controller when integrating renewables in combination with fractional-order ID-P with filter controller as secondary controllers. To validate the introduced controllers, their results have been compared to those of using integer and fractional-order PID controllers as secondary controllers, in combination with adaptive and fixed parameters virtual inertia controllers. The Artificial Rabbits heuristic algorithm is used for the purpose of tuning secondary controllers and fixed parameters virtual inertia controllers. The proposed combination of adaptive model reference virtual inertia control with fractional-order ID-P with a filter achieves the best response among all the studied combinations. Using the proposed combination shows a relative percentage improvement in the cost function value of 26% to 160% compared to all the studied combinations. Additionally, the proposed combination shows a maximum frequency overshoot value of 0.04 Hz and a minimum undershoot value of -0.06 Hz.