The thesis describes Load Frequency Control techniques which may be used for real-time on-line control of large electrical power systems. Traditionally the frequency control of power systems has been carried out using standard fixed parameter control schemes, which give control over the immediate steady- state error and the long term accumulated frequency error, but do not account for the fact that system conditions can alter due to the change in consumer load and generating patterns. The thesis presents a method of controlling the system frequency using adaptive control techniques, which ensure that optimal control action is calculated based on the present system conditions. It enables the system operating point to be monitored so that optimal control may continue to be calculated as the system operating point alters. The proposed method of frequency control can be extended to meet the problems of system interconnection and the control of inter-area power flows. The thesis describes the work carried out at Durham on a fixed parameter control scheme which led to the development of an adaptive control scheme. The controller was validated against a real-time power system simulator with full Energy Management software. Results are also presented from work carried out at the Central Electricity Research Laboratories under the C.A.S.E award scheme. This led to the development of a power system simulator, which along with the controller was validated on-line with the Dispatch Project used by the Central Electricity Generating Board
