Short-term electricity dispatch optimization of Ertan hydropower plant based on data by field tests

Abstract

A short-term electricity dispatch optimization program required by the Ertan hydropower plant is developed to maximize hydropower production. Three field tests in various operating heads were carried out in the period of May 2009 to March 2010. Based on data of five test conditions, three operating zones for units in various operating heads were proposed. A short-term electricity dispatch optimization model was developed with physical and operational constraints. Unit commitment strategy was put forward for model solution, in which unit statuses and output statuses were classified. The strategy aimed at formulating better unit commitment plan according to forecasted load demand, ancillary service requirements, and initial operating status. The model and the strategy were verified by real cases. The results show that the optimal load distribution among units at every interval can be easily solved by the genetic algorithm based on a fixed unit commitment plan. Schedules are developed with higher average generation efficiency. Units can also be scheduled to operate for a less time within the rough zone and the second feasible zone. The proposed method is already operational for dispatch engineers of the Ertan hydropower plant to determine half-hourly schedules in one day.