Long-term energy management optimization according to different types of transactions

In this paper, the authors describe a method for energy management, according to minimal costs criteria over one year (month after month), of an electric utility, which has to deal with nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, sale/purchase and exchange contracts, and spot market business. The chosen method for minimizing the costs is linear programming with most variables being continuous, and a few binary ones. The results obtained allow the management of every power plant, contract and the spot market business, in order to respect the economic, physical and environmental constraints.