Abstract
In this article, artificial cuckoo search algorithm for optimal tuning of proportional integral (PI) controllers for load frequency control is introduced. To robustly tune the parameters of controllers, a time-domain based objective function is formed that is treated by the cuckoo search algorithm. A three-area system is investigated under different loading conditions to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Simulation results are presented to prove the improved behavior of the suggested cuckoo search based controllers compared with a genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization and a conventional integral controller. These results show that the developed controllers present better performance over other algorithms in terms of settling times and different indices.