Evaluation of environmental dispatch strategies

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Power Systems Engineering
• Mathematical Optimization

Background:

• Traditional power system dispatch historically minimizes operational costs.
• Growing national concern for environmental quality necessitates new dispatch strategies.
• Environmental dispatch integrates environmental objectives alongside economic considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a methodology for evaluating environmental dispatch strategies for SO2 control.
• To compare the environmental and economic effects of different SO2 control strategies.
• To assess the utilization of cleaner generating units in environmental dispatch.

Main Methods:

• Computer modeling to evaluate environmental dispatch strategies.
• Application of promising strategies to a realistic power system.
• Comparison of results against the economic dispatch reference case.

Main Results:

• Preliminary results indicate trade-offs between environmental benefits and economic costs.
• Environmental dispatch strategies favor the increased utilization of cleaner generating units.
• The methodology allows for quantitative assessment of SO2 emission reduction strategies.

Conclusions:

• Environmental dispatch offers a viable approach to managing SO2 emissions from power generation.
• The developed methodology effectively evaluates and compares environmental and economic impacts.
• Further research can refine these strategies for optimal power system operation.