Experiences with mixed integer linear programming based approaches on short-term hydro scheduling

This paper describes experiences with mixed integer linear programming (MILP) based approaches on the short-term hydro scheduling (STHS) function. The STHS is used to determine the optimal or near-optimal schedules for the dispatchable hydro units in a hydro-dominant system for a user-definable study period at each time step while respecting all system and hydraulic constraints. The problem can be modeled in detail for a hydro system that contains both conventional and pumped-storage units. Discrete and dynamic constraints such as unit startup/shutdown and minimum-up/minimum-down time limits are also included in the model for hydro unit commitment (HUC). The STHS problem is solved with a state-of-the-art package which includes an algebraic modeling language and a MILP solver. The usefulness of the proposed solution algorithm is illustrated by testing the problem with actual hydraulic system data. Numerical experiences show that the solution technique is computationally efficient, simple, and suitable for decision support of short-term hydro operations planning. In addition, the proposed approaches can be easily extended for scheduling applications in a deregulated environment.