Numerical algorithm for environmental/economic load dispatch with emissions constraints

This paper presents a numerical algorithm for environmental/economic load dispatch (EELD) with emissions constraints, which takes into account the emissions trading system’s effect on electricity generation cost and is implemented using a Python computer program. The developed program is applied to a power system of six (6) fossil-fueled electricity generating units with NOx, SO2 and CO2 constraints and proved to be significantly beneficial not only for the environment but also for the power company and the consumers. The proposed algorithm uses multi-objective optimization and incorporates both fuel and emissions allowances costs. The schedule of generating units is calculated and the testing of all possible weighting factor combinations with resolution of 0.01 is carried out showing that the proposed algorithm is fast, cost effective and environmentally friendly.