A Hybrid system to optimize the value of imports for hydro systems

This thesis presents a solution methodology to optimize the value of imports for hydro systems by optimally selecting the unit commitment and loading of plants to provide the required System Rotational Energy or System Inertia. The methodology has been developed for use in short-term hydro system operations in a deregulated market environment to determine the optimal electricity import for a predominantly hydroelectric system consisting of plants with large storage facilities, multiple units and complex hydraulic configurations. The problem is formulated and solved using a hybrid system consisting of two main components. The first component consists of an expert system that is used to screen for potential and feasible system configurations given a set of rules on plant and unit operations. The second component consists of a Mixed-Integer programming algorithm that maximizes the value of import capability of the hydro system during low electricity market-price periods. The proposed solution methodology optimally schedules hydro plants at unit-level for energy and capacity markets in short-term operations while meeting the System Rotational Energy constraints. The application of the technique is demonstrated for four large plants in the B.C. Hydro system for a 24-hour time-step studies for a four-month period in 2002.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofGraduat