Strategic planning for sustainable electric system operations: Integrating renewables and energy storage

Abstract

This work proposes a mathematical programming approach for strategic planning in power system operations with the aim of promoting a sustainable energy transition. The approach identifies optimal operating policies that integrate conventional generation plants and renewable energies to meet user demand while considering energy generation, transmission, and distribution. Additionally, the formulation determines the optimal storage units required in the energy transmission network to improve system stability and reduce operating costs by balancing energy supply and demand. However, the operation of the power system is limited by several factors, such as economic and environmental factors as well as energy losses. Therefore, the purpose is to operate the electricity system with the lowest operating cost while minimizing CO2 emissions generated by electricity production. Since there is a conflict between these objectives, a multi-objective approach is necessary to propose a compromise solution. The compromise solution represents a balance between technical, economic, and environmental factors; the results demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a balance between these factors. Finally, we present a case study of the Mexican Electricity System (SEN) to apply the developed model. The case study includes a maximum load operation analysis to determine the system’s limits and ranges. This analysis will enable system expansion or improvement planning to meet future energy demands.