Optimization Layer for Inter State Generation Schedules in India

This paper primarily focuses on the scope of optimization in the shared generation schedules of a section of thermal power plants in India. The objective of the optimization exercise is to minimize the total generation cost while honoring the constraints of the power plants and the grid. Objective function and the constraints were configured in detail. Software with linear programming capability were used to find the optimal solution. A program developed for this purpose fetched real time generator and grid data as inputs and is in operation for over six months. Outputs and relevant data were archived, analyzed and some observations are presented in this paper. To harness the potential savings, a mechanism is also proposed in this paper.