Linear mixed integer algorithm for unit commitment based on variable periods

The difficulty of solution in unit commitment is massive calculation. Based on the linear mixed integer algorithm, this paper proposed a scheme using the technology of variable periods. According to the character of the load, the number of calculation periods decreased owing to compartmentalizing the different periods and incorporating the non-key periods. The result of the test system indicates the algorithm is valid and especially fits to be applied to the power system with multiple periods.