Optimum integration of solar technologies into an existing hydrothermal power system

Abstract

A linear programming model is presented for optimizing the integration of solar-based generation technologies into an existing hydrothermal generation system in such a way as to avoid the storage costs usually associated with such technologies. The optimization model is applied to the particular problem of meeting the projected generation requirements in Washington State during the year 2000. Numerical calculations are performed to determine the optimum combination of five new technologies (wind, photovoltaics, small hydro, cogeneration, total energy systems) as additions to the existing hydrothermal system. Several scenarios are explored and required deployment rates are calculated. The results indicate that the extent and pattern of integration of these new technologies can be sharply affected by the management strategies applied to the existing hydrothermal system.