Abstract
This paper introduces a social inspired optimization based control method for driving a sample power system in terms of its output power and terminal voltage to achieve prescribed desired values. In particular, a well known Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller is fine tuned using ant colony system algorithm and tested on a simulated AC turbo generator power system that comprises a synchronous generator connected to a large network (infinite bus bar) via a step-up transformer and a transmission line. To show the effectiveness of the proposed ant colony based PID controller, the system nonlinearities are introduced. Satisfactory dynamic and steady state performance of the simulated linearized and non-linearized models for the proposed sample power system reflects the appealing of the suggested control technique over the traditional control methods.