Consideration of system security criteria in the models of power system unit commitment

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the unit commitment models and mechanisms that are used in the wholesale electricity and capacity market in Russia and other countries, as well as to consider the methods and criteria for taking into account the system security constraints in these models. The subject matter of the study includes energy systems: wholesale energy and capacity markets in Russia, the United Kingdom, EU countries, Australia, and the United States of America. In this work, various scientific information sources were collected and analytically reviewed. The study considers the performance framework of the wholesale electricity and capacity market in different countries and the main control mechanisms in solving the unit commitment problem, as well as studying and analyzing the legal and regulatory framework in solving optimization problems. It is shown that within the domestic model, the Russian Power System Operator conducts unit commitment according to the submitted price bids, taking into account the needs of the market and the energy system balance. The considered and analyzed unit commitment scheme adopted in the Russian electric power industry fails to take full account of system security, which prompts further study of this issue. The performed comparative analysis of principles underlying the performance of models and the specifics of solving unit commitment problems revealed the strengths and weaknesses in the approaches adopted in different countries both in terms of the legislation and models. The conducted analytical study helped to formulate the key points for each model that can be used to solve the unit commitment problem.