Optimal Dispatch and Unit Commitment Strategies for Multiple Diesel Generators in Shipboard Power System Using Dynamic Programming

This paper focuses on shipboard power systems that consist of electric propulsion and multiple diesel generators. To reliably supply the electric power to the loads in the shipboard power system, there have been strict regulations defined for design and operation of power generation systems. This paper proposes a novel method for optimal power dispatch and unit commitment algorithms for shipboard power systems specifically using dynamic programming algorithm. The proposed algorithm considers the minimum fuel consumption as well as the reliability requirement. To this end, we derive the cost functions of diesel generators based on Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) obtained by manufacturer's experimental tests. The performance of the proposed methods is verified via simulation studies on various seasonal ship operation conditions based on statistical analysis of measurement data. Simulation results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of these proposed methods.