A Fuel-Constrained Unit Commitment Method

A short-term fuel-constrained thermal unit commitment method which includes significant constraints such as take-or-pay gas contracts and limitations associated with the gas delivery system is described. The fuel constraints are explicitly considered in determining the short-term (e.g., daily, weekly) thermal unit commitment strategy. The method results from the extension of a novel iterative approach consisting of two phases: a sequential commitment phase and a parameter adjustment phase. The method is effective in both its computational requirements and its solution quality. Illustrative examples are presented. >