Two-Area Load Frequency Control Using Hybrid PSO-Fuzzy Logic Controller in a Renewable Integrated Nigerian Grid
Keywords:
Load Frequency Control (LFC), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC), Renewable Energy Integration, Interconnected Power SystemsAbstract
Frequency stability in interconnected power systems is increasingly challenged by the growing penetration of renewable energy sources, which introduce variability and uncertainty into generation. This issue is particularly evident in the Nigerian grid, where disturbances significantly affect system dynamic performance.
This study presents a hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization–Fuzzy Logic Controller (PSO–FLC) to improve load frequency control (LFC). The approach combines the adaptability of fuzzy logic with the optimization capability of PSO to achieve better dynamic response. A two-area power system model with non-reheat turbine and governor dynamics was developed in MATLAB/Simulink, integrating solar generation in one area and wind generation in the other. A 0.2 p.u. load disturbance was applied to assess system performance.
The controller uses Area Control Error (ACE) as input, while PSO is employed to tune the scaling factors by minimizing the Integral of Time-weighted Absolute Error (ITAE). Performance was compared with no control, conventional PI control, and standalone fuzzy logic control.
Results show that the PSO–FLC significantly improves system response. Peak undershoot is reduced from 11.25 × 10⁻⁴ to 8.10 × 10⁻⁴, and settling time decreases from over 10 s to about 3.9 s. The proposed method eliminates steady-state error, enhances damping, and reduces oscillations in both areas, while also minimizing tie-line power fluctuations.
These findings demonstrate that PSO–FLC is an effective and robust solution for frequency regulation in renewable-integrated systems, with strong potential for improving the stability of the Nigerian power grid.
Author Biographies
Uzoma Joseph Ebuka , Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
Uzoma Joseph Ebuka received the B.Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering from Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, in 2022. He is currently pursuing the M.Sc. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Nigeria.
His research interests include load frequency control in interconnected power systems, renewable energy integration, and intelligent control techniques such as particle swarm optimization and fuzzy logic control. His current research focuses on the development of hybrid PSO–fuzzy logic controllers for improving frequency stability in modern power systems. Email: [email protected]https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9073-556X
Sabo Aliyu, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
Engr. Dr. Sabo Aliyu (MIEEE, PES) received his B.Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, in 2011. He subsequently earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Power Systems Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and the Principal Investigator at the Center for Power Systems Dynamic Simulation, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. Dr. Sabo is a registered Engineer (COREN) and a member of the IEEE and PES. His research focuses on Neuro-Fuzzy Controllers, Power System Stability, and Computational Intelligence. As of 2026, he has over 50 publications with an h-index of 13. ORCID: 0000-0003-2894-812Xemail: [email protected]
Ozioko Ugochukwu Jerald, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
Ozioko Ugochukwu Jerald earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He is also a Research Assistant at Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic in Ebonyi State. His research focuses on power systems, power electronic interfaces, and renewable energy integration. His undergraduate project, a wind turbine design for departmental power generation, ignited his passion for sustainable energy solutions.
Sesugh Abednigo Nyam, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
Nyam Sesugh Abednigo is a Maintenance Engineering Manager at Olam Hatcheries Limited Kaduna, Nigeria. He received his B.Eng. from Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi in Electrical and Electronics Engineering department in the year 2012. His main research areas include Power System Oscillation Damping Controller Designs, Power Systems Optimizations, Power Flow and Optimal Power Flow, Power Quality, and Robust controllers with online publications. He is presently an M.Eng student in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Power and Machine major) from the post graduate school Nigeria defense academy Kaduna, Nigeria. Contact email: [email protected]
Olutosin Adebayo Ogunleye, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
Brigadier General Olutosin Adebayo Ogunleye is of the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He holds a B.Eng in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and M.Eng in Electronic/Communications Engineering as well as Masters in International Affairs and Defence Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He bagged his PhD in Energy Studies with specialization in Renewable Energy from the University of Ibadan in 2021.
Brigadier General Ogunleye is currently the Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering as well as the Centre for Renewable Energy, Nigerian Defence Academy. He has attended energy conferences within and outside Nigeria and has published 9 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
His research interests include renewable energy for large-scale electricity generation and energy security. He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is also a distinguished fellow of the Army War College Nigeria (fdc[+]) and fellow of the National Defence College (fdc).
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Copyright (c) 2026 Joseph Uzoma, Aliyu Sabo, Ugochukwu Jerald Ozioko, Sesugh Abednigo Nyam
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