Optimal tuning of a PID controller based on Ant Colony algorithm for frequency control in bella coola Microgrid with electric vehicles

Abstract

In recent years, the energy sector has witnessed a major shift towards adopting renewable energy sources as a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. In this context, microgrid systems have emerged as a promising solution for electricity generation and distribution, particularly in remote and isolated areas, due to their independence and operational flexibility. However, despite their numerous advantages, these systems face technical challenges, most notably frequency fluctuations resulting from load fluctuations and the instability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This leads to deteriorating power quality and threatens grid stability. Based on this problem, this work aims to enhance frequency stability and reduce frequency fluctuations in a microgrid system operating under challenging operating conditions, such as sudden load changes or reduced renewable energy production. To achieve this, a PID controller is proposed due to its simplicity and effectiveness, with its parameters adjusted using the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm. After building a model of the microgrid system and simulating its behavior using MATLAB/SIMULINK, the simulation results showed that the PID controller tuned with the ACO algorithm achieved excellent performance in reducing frequency fluctuations and improving the dynamic stability of the grid.