Economic Dispatch Program Optimizing Load and Pollution Control Set-Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Economic dispatch programs face challenges in optimizing power generation and pollution control costs across various power plants, as different types of pollutants require distinct control methods, leading to varying costs and emission levels, which must be considered to comply with regulatory limits and maximize profit through pollution credit markets.
Innovation Solution
An economic dispatch program that allocates load demand among power plants by optimizing operational and pollution control set-points, incorporating pollution control costs and credits, using a flowchart-based algorithm that considers fuel costs, heat rates, reagent costs, and emission allowances to determine optimal load and emission allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If coal burning power plants are used to generate electricity at lower fuel costs, then power generation cost is reduced, but pollution control costs increase due to required reagents like lime slurry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters considered in economic dispatch by incorporating pollution control costs and pollution output levels as additional decision variables. The optimization model adjusts load allocation parameters to balance fuel costs against pollution control costs, allowing dynamic parameter adjustment based on varying reagent costs and emission prices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the economic dispatch problem by including pollution control considerations alongside traditional cost factors. The multi-objective optimization framework evaluates solutions across multiple dimensions (fuel cost, pollution control cost, emission levels) rather than single-dimensional cost minimization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pollution control systems are implemented to reduce emissions, then environmental compliance is achieved, but operating costs increase due to reagent consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where pollution output levels from each power plant are continuously monitored and fed back into the economic dispatch optimization. The system adjusts load allocation based on this feedback, dynamically balancing emission reduction goals against operating cost constraints through iterative optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization model transitions from static to dynamic decision-making by allowing load allocation and pollution control set-points to adjust continuously based on changing conditions such as reagent costs, emission prices, and power plant performance. The system adapts pollution control strategies dynamically rather than using fixed thresholds.
3Productivity
If load demand is allocated to minimize fuel costs, then economic efficiency is improved, but pollution emissions increase requiring additional control measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional optimization framework that simultaneously achieves multiple objectives: minimizing total operating costs (including both fuel and pollution control costs), controlling pollution emissions within regulatory limits, and optimizing load allocation across power plants. The single optimization model performs multiple functions that were previously separate concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary optimization calculations to determine optimal load allocation and pollution control set-points before actual power generation operations. By pre-calculating the optimal mix of fuel costs and pollution control costs, the system avoids reactive pollution control measures and implements proactive cost-effective emission management.
Data Source
AI summary
An economic dispatch program allocates a load demand and an emission allowance of a power generation system among various power plants to determine the operational set-points and the pollution control set-points of each of the various power plants in a manner that minimizes the total operating cost for the power generation system, including the pollution control cost. The economic dispatch program uses the pollution control set-points and the load set-points of the various power plants as decision variables and takes into consideration the pollution control costs of the various power plants in allocating the load demand. During operation, the economic dispatch program takes into consideration the pollution credits available to the various power plants in allocating the load demand and pollution control level to determine the optimal operating solution for the power plants.