Title: Policy-based unit commitment problem: a case in a peaking power generation plant

Authors: Robert I. Wamilda Jr.; Luke Rey T. Santillan; Kenn Brylle A. Senen; Lanndon A. Ocampo

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of San Carlos, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines ' Department of Industrial Engineering, University of San Carlos, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines ' Department of Industrial Engineering, University of San Carlos, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines ' School of Management, University of the Philippines Cebu, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract: Unit commitment (UC) along with economic load dispatch (ELD) is an integral optimisation problem in the power generation industry. In this paper, policy-based algorithms are developed to address dispatch problems under different system configurations with the benefit of providing flexibility in addressing several desired policies of decision-makers. A case study is conducted in a diesel-fired, power plant in central Philippines to elucidate the proposed approach. Three policies were created to effectively address the optimisation problem: 1) classic UC model; 2) buying and selling strategy; 3) continuous loading strategy with various issues being considered. Results show that the strategies exhibit a significant decrease in total costs and ease of implementation with respect to the current production schedule of the case firm. Furthermore, the second policy provides the least generated cost which implies that generating firms must consider the option to sell power when market prices reach desired levels.

Keywords: economic load dispatch; ELD; unit commitment; rule-based algorithm; conventional methodology; constrained optimisation; power generation; case study; diesel-fired power plants; Philippines; buying and selling strategy; continuous loading.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2017.081793

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2017 Vol.10 No.1, pp.1 - 26

Received: 09 Feb 2016
Accepted: 26 Aug 2016
Published online: 24 Jan 2017 *

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