Design and Optimization of a Robust Wide-Area Damping Controller for Mitigating Inter-Area Oscillations in Wind-Integrated Power Systems

In power networks, low-frequency oscillations—particularly inter-area oscillations—pose a serious threat to system stability because of disruptions like short-circuit faults and the increasing use of renewable energy sources like wind farms. To lessen the negative impacts of time delays when sending distant signals, this study presents a novel approach for the creation and optimization of a wide-area damping controller (WADC). To accomplish smooth integration with the power system stabilizer (PSS), the Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) is used to precisely alter the WADC's parameters. The study also looks into how time delays, changes in wind speed, and load variations affect the effectiveness of the controller. A typical six-machine test system with 200 MW of wind power is used for simulations under various operating conditions and disruptions. The results show that the suggested controller counteracts the detrimental effects of time delays, considerably lowers inter-area oscillations, and preserves overall system stability. This study emphasizes the significance of wide-area signal usage and robust control frameworks while providing a workable method for enhancing the dynamic performance of power systems with significant penetration of renewable energy.