Priority power generation allocation method for reservoir power stations based on the priority index

Abstract

China may require a long time to transition its power system from a planned one to a completely competitive market. Priority power generation (PPG), as a special type of power in the transitional period, is of great importance to incentivise power generation entities to participate in the market and promote power system reforms. However, the allocation of PPG currently relies excessively on the subjective decisions and experience of staff and lacks scientific basis and reasonable methods. Considering the case of Sichuan Province in China, this study proposed a PPG allocation method for reservoir power stations (RPSs) based on the principles of fairness, justice, and openness. First, RPSs were divided into categories based on the clustering results of many variable indicators that reflect the contribution and cost in aspects such as power generation, flood control, water supply, irrigation, emission reduction, grid peak shaving. Second, the random forest method was adopted to select the key indicators affecting the classification results. Then, the key indicators were weighted to obtain the priority index, and the PPG allocation was performed based on the priority index. Finally, the proposed method was used to allocate the PPG of RPSs in Sichuan in 2019. The results indicated that the allocation method based on the priority index is more conducive to increasing the market participation of RPSs than the original plan. In addition, it can save approximately 73 million yuan in electricity purchase costs for the grid.