The traditional mathematical models for solving the economic dispatch problem at the generation level primarily focus on minimizing overall operational costs while ensuring demand is met across various periods. However, contemporary power systems integrate a diverse mix of generators from both conventional and renewable energy sources, contributing to economically efficient energy production and playing a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the complexity of power systems increases, the scope of economic dispatch must expand to address demand across multiple regions, incorporating a range of objective functions that optimize energy resource utilization, reduce costs, and achieve superior economic and technical outcomes. This paper, therefore, proposes an advanced optimization model designed to determine the hourly power output of various generation units distributed across multiple areas within the power system. The model satisfies the dual objective functions and adheres to stringent technical constraints, effectively framing the problem as a nonlinear programming challenge. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the resulting and exchanged energy quantities demonstrates that the model guarantees the hourly demand. Significantly, the system’s efficiency can be further enhanced by increasing the capacity of the interconnection links between areas, thereby generating additional savings that can be reinvested into expanding the links’ capacity. Moreover, the multi-objective model excels not only in meeting the proposed objective functions but also in optimizing energy exchange across the system. This optimization is applicable to various types of energy, including thermal and renewable sources, even those characterized by uncertainty in their primary resources. The model’s ability to effectively manage such uncertainties underscores its robustness, instilling confidence in its applicability and reliability across diverse energy scenarios. This adaptability makes the model a significant contribution to the field, offering a sophisticated tool for optimizing multi-area power systems in a way that balances economic, technical, and environmental considerations.
Read full abstract