Multicriteria generation-expansion planning with global environmental considerations

The multicriteria capacity mix problem of electric utilities is discussed. Traditional least-cost generation expansion planning has become inadequate due to the prevailing multiple, conflicting objectives such as cost, environmental degradation, and nuclear hazards. A preference-order dynamic programming approach that allows these considerations to be addressed with the already available dynamic programming-based capacity expansion planning tool, called Wien Automatic System Planning Package (WASP), is presented. A case study shows the importance of considering global warming as well as nuclear hazards. It is noted that substituting plants that use cleaner fuels such as natural gas for those that use carbon-intensive fuels such as coal is effective in controlling carbon dioxide emissions, more so than replacing them with carbon dioxide-free nuclear units