Demand Side Storage to Increase Hydroelectric Generation Efficiency

In this paper, a new generation control strategy is proposed based on combined use of different resources including large hydroelectric power plants and directly controlled industrial responsive loads. Water pumping in water storage systems is modeled as a virtual power plant (VPP) in transmission system. The balance model is in the economic dispatch (ED) time frame and loads are scheduled to be dispatched optimally along with the swing hydroelectric plant, which realizes load-following and frequency regulation. The model is implemented on the IEEE 24 bus reliability test system with hydroelectric generation units. Real-field data of responsive loads are used and the results show the value of flexibility of responsive loads in increasing generation efficiency of hydroelectric power plants operated in swing mode.