Multi-area generation scheduling algorithm with regionally distributed optimal power flow using alternating direction method

This paper calls attention to the core issue as to the multi-area generation scheduling algorithm in interconnected electric power systems. This algorithm consists in deciding upon on/off states of generating units and their power outputs to meet the demands of customers under the consideration of operational technical constraints and transmission networks while keeping the generation cost to a minimum. In treating the mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, the generalized Benders decomposition (GBD) is applied to simply decouple a primal problem into a unit commitment (UC) master problem and inter-temporal optimal power flow (OPF) sub-problems. Most prominent in this work is that the alternating direction method (ADM) is introduced to accomplish the regional decomposition that allows efficient distributed solutions of OPF. Especially, the proposed distributed scheme whose effectiveness is clearly illustrated on a numerical example can find the most economic dispatch schedule incorporated with power transactions on a short-term basis where utilities are less inclined to pool knowledge about their systems or to telemeter measured system and cost data to the common system operator and nevertheless the gains from trade such as economy interchange are vital as well. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.