<p>In the US, seven regional transmission organizations (RTOs) operate wholesale electricity markets within three largely independent transmission systems, the largest of which includes five RTO regions and many vertically integrated utilities.</p> <p>RTOs operate a day-ahead and a real-time market. In the day-ahead market, generation and demand-side resources are optimally scheduled based on bids and offers for the next day. Those schedules are adjusted according to actual operating conditions in the real-time market. Both markets involve a unit commitment calculation, a mixed integer program that determines which generators will be online, and an economic dispatch calculation, an optimization determines the output of each online generator for every interval and calculates locational marginal prices (LMPs).</p> <p>The use of LMPs for the management of congestion in RTO transmission systems has brought efficiency and transparency to the operation of electric power systems and provides price signals that highlight the need for investment in transmission and generation. Through this work, we aim to extend these efficiency and transparency gains to the coordination across RTOs. Existing market-based inter-regional coordination schemes are limited to incremental changes in real-time markets. </p> <p>We propose a multi-regional unit-commitment that enables coordination in the day-ahead timeframe by applying a distributed approach to approximate a system-wide optimal commitment and dispatch while allowing each region to largely maintain their own rules, model only internal transmission up to the boundary, and keep sensitive financial information confidential. A heuristic algorithm based on an extension of the alternating directions method of multipliers (ADMM) for the mixed integer program is applied to the unit commitment. </p> The proposed coordinated solution was simulated and compared to the ideal single-market scenario and to a representation of the current uncoordinated solution, achieving at least 58% of the maximum potential savings, which, in terms of the annual cost of electric generation in the US, could add up to nearly $7 billion per year. In addition to the coordinated day-ahead solution, we develop a distributed solution for financial transmission rights (FTR) auctions with minimal information sharing across RTOs that constitutes the first known work to provide a viable option for market participants to seamlessly hedge price variability exposure on cross-border transactions.

[pt] Um dos algoritmos mais eficientes para resolver problemas de planejamento de operações hidrotérmicas, que são modelos estocásticos multiestágio de larga escala, é o chamado algoritmo de programação dinâmica dupla estocástica (SDDP). O planejamento da operação dos sistemas de energia visa avaliar o valor dos recursos escassos (por exemplo, água) para alimentar os modelos de despacho de curto prazo usados na implementação real das decisões. Quando o modelo de planejamento se desvia significativamente da realidade da operação implementada, as políticas de decisão são consideradas inconsistentes no tempo. A literatura recente explorou diferentes fontes de inconsistência, como medidas de risco dinâmico inconsistentes no tempo, representação imprecisa do processo de informação e simplificações no modelo de planejamento de rede. Este trabalho aborda a inconsistência no tempo devido a simplificações na representação da rede no modelo de planejamento que estende a literatura existente. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor uma estrutura, composta por uma metodologia e um pacote computacional de código aberto, para testar o impacto operacional e econômico das simplificações da modelagem sobre o fluxo de energia da rede em sistemas de energia hidrotérmica. Entre as inúmeras formulações disponíveis no pacote, nos concentramos em avaliar o custo e o desempenho operacional das seguintes aproximações de modelos: o modelo de rede de transporte (NFA), atualmente em uso pelo operador de sistema brasileiro; o relaxamento de cone de segunda ordem (SOC); o relaxamento de programação semidefinida (SDP); a aproximação do fluxo de energia de corente continua (DC); e o DC com aproximação de fluxo de potência com perda de linha (DCLL). Todas as formulações mencionadas anteriormente são testadas como aproximações para o modelo de rede na fase de planejamento, onde é construída a função de custo futuro. Em seguida, avaliamos cada aproximação simulando a operação do sistema usando um modelo de implementação que minimiza o custo imediato sob as restrições de fluxo de energia AC e a respectiva função de custo futuro. A comparação é feita para dois sistemas, um composto por um ciclo e o outro aproximadamente radial. / [en] One of the most efficient algorithms for solving hydrothermal operation planning problems, which are large-scale multi-stage stochastic models, is the so-called stochastic dual dynamic programming (SDDP) algorithm. Operation planning of power systems aims to assess the value of the scarce resources (e.g. water) to feed short-term dispatch models used in the actual implementation of the decisions. When the planning model significantly deviates from the reality of the implemented operation, decision policies are said to be time-inconsistent. Recent literature has explored different sources of inconsistency such as time-inconsistent dynamic risk measures, inaccurate representation of the information process and simplifications in the network planning model. This work addresses the time-inconsistency due to simplifications in the network representation in the planning model extending the existing literature. The objective of this work is to propose a framework, comprised of a methodology and an open-source computational package, for testing the operative and economic impact of modeling simplifications over the network power-flow in hydrothermal power systems. Among the myriad of formulations available in the package, we focused on assessing the cost and operative performance of the following model approximations: the transportation network-flow model (NFA), currently in use by the Brazilian system operator; the second-order cone relaxation (SOC); the semidefinite programming relaxation (SDP); the DC power-flow approximation (DC); and the DC with line-loss power-flow approximation (DCLL). All the previously mentioned formulations are tested as approximations for the network model in the planning stage, where the cost-to-go function is built. Then, we evaluate each approximation by simulating the system s operation using an implementation model, which minimizes the immediate cost under AC power-flow constraints and the respective cost-to-go function. The comparison is made for two systems, one composed of a cycle and the other approximately radial.

[pt] Transmission switching já foi apresentado anteriormente como uma ferramenta capaz de prover benefícios significativos na operação de sistemas de potência, como redução de custos e aumento de confiabilidade. Dentro do contexto de mercados co-otimizados para energia e reservas, este trabalho endereça a co-otimização de transmission switching pós-contingência no planejamento da operação de sistemas elétricos. Os modelos propostos para programação diária e despacho econômico diferem de formulações existentes devido à consideração conjunta de três fatores complicadores. Primeiro, ações de transmission switching são consideradas nos estados pré e pós-contingência, portanto requerendo variáveis binárias pós-contingência. Adicionalmente, a programação de geradores e as ações de transmission switching são co-otimizadas. Além disso, a operação de geradores é caracterizada temporalmente em um contexto multi-período. Os modelos propostos são formulados como programas inteiros-mistos desafiadores para os quais os softwares comerciais comumente utilizados para modelos mais simples podem levar à intratabilidade até para instâncias de tamanho moderado. Como metodologia de solução, nós apresentamos uma versão aperfeiçoada de um algoritmo de geração de colunas e restrições aninhado, com a adição de restrições válidas para melhorar o desempenho computacional. Simulações numéricas demonstram o desempenho efetivo da abordagem proposta, assim como suas vantagens econômicas e operacionais sobre modelos existentes que desconsideram o transmission switching pós-contingência. / [en] Transmission switching has been previously shown to offer significant benefits to power system operation, such as cost savings and reliability enhancements. Within the context of co-optimized electricity markets for energy and reserves, this work addresses the co-optimization of post contingency transmission switching in power system operation planning. The proposed models for unit commitment and economic dispatch differ from existing formulations due to the joint consideration of three major complicating factors. First, transmission switching actions are considered both in the preand post-contingency states, thereby requiring binary post-contingency variables. Secondly, generation scheduling and transmission switching actions are co-optimized. In addition, the time coupled operation of generating units is precisely characterized. The proposed models are formulated as challenging mixed-integer programs for which the off-the-shelf software customarily used for simpler models may lead to intractability even for moderatelysized instances. As a solution methodology, we present enhanced versions of an exact nested column-and-constraint generation algorithm featuring the inclusion of valid constraints to improve the overall computational performance. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effective performance of the proposed approach as well as its economic and operational advantages over existing models disregarding post-contingency transmission switching.

This dissertation focuses on selected issues in regard to the mathematical modeling of electricity markets. In a first step the interrelations of electric power market modeling are highlighted a crossroad between operations research, applied economics, and engineering. In a second step the development of a large-scale continental European economic engineering model named ELMOD is described and the model is applied to the issue of wind integration. It is concluded that enabling the integration of low-carbon technologies appears feasible for wind energy. In a third step algorithmic work is carried out regarding a game theoretic model. Two approaches in order to solve a discretely-constrained mathematical program with equilibrium constraints using disjunctive constraints are presented. The first one reformulates the problem as a mixed-integer linear program and the second one applies the Benders decomposition technique. Selected numerical results are reported.

Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe - FAPITEC/SE / The growth of the electric energy consumption in the last years has generated the need of the increase in the amount of power sources, making the electricity sector undergo some large changes. This has provided the search for tools that promotes a better efficiency and security to the electrical power systems. A planning problem that is considered important in the daily operation of the power systems is the Unit Commitment, where the time schedule of the operation is defined, determining which machines will be online or offline, and which are the operating points. Those units must operate by load variation, respecting the operative and security constraints. This research proposes the resolution of the problem for the short-term planning, taking a set of constraints associated with the thermal generation and the power system. Among them, we can highlight the output power variation constraints of the machines and the security restrictions of the transmission system, avoided in most Unit Commitment studies. This problem is nonlinear, mixed-integer and has a large scale. The methodology used involves the utilization of an Adaptive Genetic Algorithm, for the Unit Commitment problem, and the Interior-Point Primal- Dual Predictor–Corrector Method, for DC power flow resolution in economic dispatch problem. Furthemore, this research proposes the implementation of cross-over and mutation operators of Genetic Algorithm based on a ring methodology applied in Unit Commitment matrix. The results were obtained through simulations in a mathematical simulation software, using the IEEE test systems with 30 bus and 9 generators, and another with 24 bus and 26 generators. The validation of the algorithm was done by comparing the results with other works in the literature. / O crescimento do consumo de energia elétrica nos últimos anos vem gerando a necessidade de um aumento na quantidade de fontes geradoras, fazendo com que o setor elétrico passe por grandes mudanças. Isso tem proporcionado a busca por ferramentas que ofereçam maior eficiência e segurança aos sistemas de potência. Um problema considerado de extrema importância na operação diária dos sistemas elétricos é o planejamento da Alocação das Unidades Geradoras, onde define-se a programação horária das unidades do sistema, determinando quais máquinas deverão estar ligadas ou desligadas, e quais serão seus respectivos pontos de operação. Essas unidades geradoras devem operar de forma eficaz, mediante a variação da carga, respeitando restrições operativas e de segurança do sistema. Este trabalho propõe a resolução do problema para o planejamento de curto prazo, levando em consideração uma série de restrições relacionadas a geração térmica e ao sistema elétrico. Entre elas, podemos destacar as restrições de variação de potência de saída das máquinas e as restrições de segurança do sistema de transmissão, evitadas na maioria dos estudos de Alocação de Unidades Geradoras. Este problema tem característica não-linear, inteiro-misto e de grande escala. A metodologia utilizada para resolução do problema envolve a utilização de um Algoritmo Genético Adaptativo, para Alocação das Unidades, e o Método de Pontos Interiores Primal-Dual Preditor-Corretor, para a resolução do Fluxo de Potência Ótimo DC no problema do Despacho Econômico. Além disso, este trabalho propõe a implementação dos operadores de cross-over e mutação do Algoritmo Genético com base em uma metodologia anelar aplicada na matriz de alocação de unidades. Os resultados foram obtidos através de simulações em um software de simulação matemática, utilizando os sistemas testes do IEEE de 30 barras com 9 geradores e 24 barras com 26 geradores, e a validação do algoritmo foi feita comparando os resultados obtidos com os outros trabalhos da literatura.

This dissertation focuses on selected issues in regard to the mathematical modeling of electricity markets. In a first step the interrelations of electric power market modeling are highlighted a crossroad between operations research, applied economics, and engineering. In a second step the development of a large-scale continental European economic engineering model named ELMOD is described and the model is applied to the issue of wind integration. It is concluded that enabling the integration of low-carbon technologies appears feasible for wind energy. In a third step algorithmic work is carried out regarding a game theoretic model. Two approaches in order to solve a discretely-constrained mathematical program with equilibrium constraints using disjunctive constraints are presented. The first one reformulates the problem as a mixed-integer linear program and the second one applies the Benders decomposition technique. Selected numerical results are reported.