Optimal Tuning of Power System Stabilizers Using Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms: A Comparative Study

Power system stabilizers are very effective in reducing the low frequency oscillations following small disturbances. The stabilizer works on increasing the damping torque by providing additional feedback signal to the excitation system of the synchronous generator. For optimal performance and enhancement of the generator's stability the parameters of the stabilizer have to be tuned optimally. In this paper, an improved grey wolf optimizer is proposed to enhance the small signal stability of a single-machine infinite bus system. The optimal performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with that of other competing metaheuristic algorithms. The performance of the optimization algorithms is assessed in terms of four performance indices. The simulations results showed that the improved grey wolf optimizer presents superior and robust performance in comparison with the other investigated optimization algorithms.