Integrating life cycle sustainability assessment in power flow optimization

The electric power network management is an important field of improving to achieve sustainability. Optimal Power Flows (OPFs) allow the efficient operation of the system. However, OPF algorithms only consider the operation stage of the power plants involved in the power system, neglecting the rest of stages of its life cycle. To evaluate the total effects of the power generation mix, this work develops a methodology to perform a MultiObjective OPF (MOOPF) with impact variables in electrical systems that integrate different generation technologies. These variables result from the application of a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), consisting in environmental, economic, and social indexes with "cradle-to-grave" dimensions. To achieve this objective, the MOOPF is carried out operating a MATLAB algorithm over the IEEE57 bus system. It uses the epsilon-constraint method subject to the imposition of two or three impact variables. To examine the applications of this work, several simulations are performed optimizing different impact variables. Two different Spanish electricity scenarios are considered: the 2019 generation, and the 2030 objective generation proposed by the Spanish National Energy and Climate Plan. This tool broadens the scope of MOOPF assessment that can be used in a decision-making process. It allows to identify important environmental, economic, and social affections derived from system designs and limits. The study proves that the application of LCSA with MOOPF obtains realistic results making sustainability solutions technically viable. Additionally, different benefits and drawbacks, linked to the studied scenarios and grid disposition, are compared when conducting the proposed methodology for hourly generation management.