Optimal generation scheduling of large-scale multi-zone combined heat and power systems

Abstract

Combined heat and power (CHP) technology can simultaneously satisfy heat and power loads. The objective of optimal production scheduling of CHP plants is finding optimal schedule of heat and power plants according to the constraints of network and component. In this research, the solution of CHP economic dispatch (CHPED) in large scale is investigated considering different scenarios. Firstly, the CHPED is tested on a 48-unit system to obtain minimum total operation cost, which includes the operation cost of thermal plants, CHP units and boilers, and the obtained optimal solutions are compared with recent publications. Then, a novel framework for a large-scale multi-zone CHPED problem is introduced, where each zone is responsible of providing the associated heat load. Finally, the multi-objective CHP dispatch problem is studied for handling two competing objectives consisting of operation cost and emissions of pollutant gases. The emission of pollutant gases includes the greenhouse gases emitted by thermal plants, CHP units and boilers. The model is tested on a three-zone 48-unit system for verifying the performance and effectiveness of the model. An annual cost saving of $1,939,534.08 can be attained by using the applied method for the 48-unit CHP system in comparison with the reported results in recent studies.