Optimal Power system

expansion planning
Unit 7 &8
 Optimal Power system expansion
planning
Most of the operational and planning problems
consist of the following three major
steps
Definition
Modeling
Solution algorithm
 Problem Definition
In any optimization problem, the decision maker
should decide on the following items
Decision (independent) and dependent
variables
Constraints functions
Objective functions
 Decision and Dependent Variables
Decision variables are the independent variables; the decision
maker has to determine their optimum values and based on
those, other variables (dependent) can be determined.
For instance, in an optimum generation scheduling problem,
the active power generations of power plants may be the
decision variables.
The dependent variables can be the total fuel consumption,
system losses, etc. which can be calculated upon determining
the decision variables.
In a capacitor allocation problem, the locations and the sizing
of the capacitor banks are the decision variables, whereas the
dependent variables may be bus voltages, system losses, etc.
Contd..
An n-decision variable problem results in an n-
dimensional solution space in which any point
within that space can be a solution.
A two-dimensional case is shown in Fig.
 Constraints Functions
In a real-life optimization problem, some
limitations may apply to the solution space.
These are typically technical, economical,
environmental and similar limitations; named
as constraints which either directly or
indirectly divide the solution space into
acceptable (feasible) and unacceptable (non-
feasible) regions.
The decision maker should find a solution
point within the feasible region.
Contd..
For instance, in an optimum generation scheduling
problem, the active power generations of the power
plants should be within their respective maximum and
minimum values; or, the total generation of the plants
should satisfy total load and a specified reserve.
In a capacitor allocation problem, a technical constraint
may be the maximum number of the capacitor banks
which may be employed for a specific bus.
An economical constraint may be a limit on the total
practical investment cost which should not be violated.
The way the constraints behave in a two dimensional
case is shown in Fig.
 Objective Functions
From the numerous points within the feasible region of a
problem, the decision maker should select the most desirable.
The desirable should, however, be somehow defined.
For instance, in a classroom, a teacher may select a student as
the best if morality is the main concern. He or she may select
another if enthusiasm is observed.
In fact, an objective function is a function in terms of the
decision variables by which the decision maker shows his or
her desirable solution.
In Fig., if the objective function is defined as maximizing x1,
the solution ends up in point A, whereas, if minimizing x2 is
the objective function, point B would be the final solution.
In an optimum generation scheduling problem, the objective
function may be chosen as the total fuel cost to be minimized.
 In a capacitor allocation problem, the objective
function may be the investment cost or the
system losses or both (to be minimized).
The problem is considered to be single-objective
if just one objective function is to be
optimized. It is in contrast to multi-objective
optimization problems in which several
functions are to be simultaneously, optimized.
In a practical case, an optimization problem may
have many maximum and
minimum points. For instance, consider the case
depicted in Fig.