Operational planning for pumped storage power station using heuristic techniques

Abstract

A computer algorithm is described that coordinates, economically, the operation of a large pumped storage scheme with an existing thermal generation system. It uses heuristic techniques to establish a system model for operation, based largely on the manual merit order method, and in incorporates several operating constraints, including generator maximum and minimum generation levels, minimum shutdown times and loading and unloading rates. Designed specifically as an operational planning tool, the algorithm produces a unit commitment and load schedule for every half-hour interval of any load curve supplied. By costing this schedule with and without the pumped storage scheme, a pumping cost is obtained that can then be compared with other methods of frequency control. Finally, by extending the schedule to include hydrogeneration, the economic benefit of using the scheme in this mode may also be evaluated.