For power system engineers, automated load frequency control (LFC) for multi-area power networks has proven a difficult problem. With the addition of numerous power generation sources, the complexity of these duties becomes even more difficult. The dynamic nature of linked power networks with varied generating sources, such as gas, thermal, and hydropower plants, is compared in this research. For the study to be more accurate, frequency and tie-line power measurements are used. For precise tuning of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gains, the Bald Eagle Sparrow search optimization (BESSO) technique was used. The BESSO algorithm was created by combining the characteristics of sparrows and bald eagles. The performance of BESSO is determined by comparing its findings to those acquired using traditional approaches. In terms of Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE), which is the most important criterion used to reduce system error, the findings presented in this study indicate the effectiveness of the BESSO-PID controller. Finally, sensitivity analysis and stability analysis proved the robustness of the developed controller. The settling times associated with the tie-line power flow, frequency variation in area-1, and frequency variation in area-2, respectively, were 10.4767 s, 8.5572 s, and 11.4364 s, which were all less than the traditional approaches. As a result, the suggested method outperformed the other strategies.

Recently, there is vast progress in the integration of renewable energy generators (REGs) into the power grid. The reactive power, which is indeed a fundamental power system factor is being influenced highly by the renewable power penetration levels. As a consequence, this has paved the way toward the generation of steady‐state voltage and dynamic/transient stability issues. Therefore, to provide a sustainable and dependable power grid, it is indeed important to maintain and control adequate reactive power reserves. This study introduces a comprehensive literature survey on “management of reactive power in renewable‐rich power networks”. A total of 75 research publications have been collected for this study, and a concise summary of each article is offered. The articles are categorized according to the types of REGs used, type of control, grid code consideration, controller device, implementation tools, grid type, load type as well as various reactive power support systems. In addition, this study examines the advantages and drawbacks of existing models. The performance recorded in each of the collected papers are discussed. Ultimately, the most critical challenges related to management of reactive power in renewable‐rich power grids are identified, along with some essential methodological suggestions for the electricity sector, regulators, and research scientists.

The world has a target of achieving 100% renewable energy by the end of the century. This paper presents a case study to establish a new floating photovoltaic park (FPV) in Egyptian dams. In Egypt, two hydroelectric dams, namely High Dam and Aswan Reservoir, together produce 2.65 GW in the Upper-Egypt region. The addition of 5 MW FPV for each dam is simulated using the Helioscope software application. A comparison between the performance of the dams with and without adding the FPV is presented in terms of the evaporation rate and total produced energy. A comparison between different types of FPV, namely polycrystalline, thin film and mono-crystalline in the two dams are also presented. The results show that installing FPV in the Egyptian dams will drive the dams to better performance in terms of carbon dioxide reduction, water-saving from reducing evaporation and increasing hydropower generation.

Frequency and voltage deviations are two main problems in microgrids, especially with the increase in the penetration level of renewable energies. This paper presents novel techniques to apply combined the load frequency control and automatic voltage regulation of two interconnected microgrids. The two microgrids are operated by solar energy and bioenergy technologies and include energy-storage facilities. The control is applied using a novel accelerating PID controller (PIDA), which is compared to state-of-the-art control schemes. The controllers are designed using a new doctor and patient optimization technique (DPO), which is compared to state-of-the-art techniques. The combined design of load frequency controllers and automatic voltage regulators is also compared to a standalone design. The comparisons are carried out by testing the system performance at each operation condition in addition to indicators such as integral absolute error for frequency and voltage and integral time absolute error for frequency and voltage. The results show that a combined DPO–PIDA design of LFC–AVR schemes for fully sustainable microgrids has better performance than other standalone designs and other control and optimization alternatives.

The world is targeting fully renewable power generation by the middle of the century. Distributed generation is the way to increase the penetration level of renewable energies. This paper presents load frequency control of a hybrid tidal, wind, and wave microgrid to feed an isolated island. This research is a step towards 100% renewable energy communities in remote seas/oceans islands. The wave and tidal generation systems model are presented. The study presents load frequency control through three supplementary control strategies: conventional integrators, fractional order integrator, and non-linear fractional order integrator. All the controllers of the microgrid are designed by using a novel black widow optimization technique. The applied technique is compared to other existing state-of-the-art algorithms. The results show that the black widow non-linear fractional integrator has a better performance over other strategies. Coordination between the unloaded tidal system and blade pitch control of both wind and tidal systems are adopted in the microgrid to utilize the available reserve power for the frequency support. Simulation and optimization studies are performed using the MATLAB/SIMULINK 2017a software application.

This paper presents secondary voltage control by extracting reactive power from renewable power technologies to control load buses voltage in a power system at different operating conditions. The study is performed on a 100% renewable 14-bus system. Active and reactive powers controls are considered based on grid codes of countries with high penetration levels of renewable energy technologies. A pilot bus is selected in order to implement the secondary voltage control. The selection is based on short-circuit calculation and sensitivity analysis. An optimal Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) voltage controller is designed using genetic algorithm. A comparison between system with and without secondary voltage control is presented in terms of voltage profile and total power losses. The optimal voltage magnitudes at busbars are calculated to achieve minimum power losses using optimal power flow. The optimal placement of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) is performed in order to measure the voltage magnitude of buses with minimum cost. Optimization and simulation processes are performed using DIgSILENT and MATLAB software applications.