A practical mixed integer linear programming based short-term hydro scheduling

This paper presents a practical method by using mixed integer linear programming for the short-term hydro scheduling (STHS). The STHS is used to determine the optimal or near-optimal schedules for the dispatchable hydro plants in a hydro-dominant system for a user-definable study period at each time step while respecting all system and hydraulic constraints. The problem can be modeled in detail for a hydro system that contains both conventional and pumped-storage units. Discrete and dynamic constraints such as plant startup and shutdown statuses are also included in the model. The STHS problem is solved with a commercial-grade MILP solver. The usefulness of the proposed solution algorithm is illustrated by testing the problem with actual hydraulic system data. Numerical experiences show that the solution technique is computationally efficient, simple, and suitable for decision support of short-term hydro operations planning.