Stochastic Unit Commitment Scenario Reduction for Wind Power

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The computational complexity and time limitations in solving stochastic unit commitment problems for electric power grids with wind power generation units are exacerbated by the need to generate and combine a large number of scenarios, leading to inefficient optimization processes.

Innovation Solution

The method reduces the number of scenarios by identifying correlated scenarios based on weather forecast data for co-located wind power generation units, leveraging the physical interrelation of weather forecasts to create a single combined scenario for stochastic unit commitment, thereby reducing computational burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of scenarios are generated to accurately represent wind power uncertainty, then the accuracy of probabilistic representation is improved, but the computational complexity increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of probabilistic representationVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines scenarios from multiple wind power generation units by identifying and merging correlated scenarios. Scenarios that represent similar weather conditions across different units are aggregated into single combined scenarios, reducing the total number of scenarios while preserving the probabilistic characteristics of wind power uncertainty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the scenario representation by changing the parameter space from individual unit scenarios to correlated scenario pairs. By identifying scenarios with similar weather patterns and combining them, the method changes how uncertainty is represented - from numerous independent scenarios to a reduced set of correlated scenario combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If scenario reduction techniques are applied to decrease computational burden, then the computing time is reduced, but the accuracy of capturing probabilistic aspects may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing timeVSAvoidaccuracy of probabilistic representation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming individual unit scenarios into correlated scenario pairs. This transformation reduces the scenario space while maintaining the essential probabilistic characteristics through systematic combination rules that preserve weather pattern correlations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The method creates combined scenarios that represent aggregated weather patterns across multiple units. Instead of processing each individual unit scenario separately, the approach creates representative combined scenarios that copy and integrate the essential probabilistic features of multiple underlying scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If individual scenario sets are generated for each wind power generation unit, then the specific uncertainty of each unit is captured, but the overall scenario tree complexity increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunit-specific uncertainty captureVSAvoidscenario tree complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual scenario sets from multiple wind power generation units by identifying correlated scenarios across units. Scenarios representing similar weather conditions are combined into unified scenario pairs, reducing the exponential growth of scenario tree complexity while preserving unit-specific uncertainty characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If scenario reduction is performed to meet computational time restrictions, then the solving efficiency is improved, but the physical consistency of scenarios may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolving efficiencyVSAvoidphysical consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs scenario reduction through parameter changes by transforming individual scenarios into correlated scenario pairs based on weather pattern similarity. This systematic transformation reduces the scenario space to meet computational requirements while maintaining physical consistency through weather-based correlation criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2562901B1Unit commitment for wind power generation
Publication Date: 2014.03.19 ABB RES LTD
  • EP2562901B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2562901B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2562901B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention includes a method for performing stochastic unit commitment for an electric power grid with a first weather dependent power generation unit and a second weather dependent power generation unit and a number of loads comprises the steps of providing weather forecast data for the first and second power generation units; generating, for each of the first and the second power generation units, a plurality of scenarios indicative of future power production based on the weather forecast data; identifying, according to a correlation criterion, a pair of correlated scenarios comprising a first scenario for the first weather dependent power generation unit and a second scenario for the second weather dependent power generation unit as well as performing the stochastic unit commitment based on a single combined scenario representing the first and the second scenario of the pair of correlated scenarios.