Optimization of operating modes of hydropower plants with determination of the price for a hydro resource using complex criteria of ecological and economic efficiency

Abstract

At present, the influence of technologies on the environment became comparable with natural processes at the Earth. Therefore, the use of renewable energy sources, including water resources, is very important for the energy market operated as the Internet of things. The present paper proposes a universal method for analyzing the efficiency of technical systems using the combination of an optimization method and a method of marginal utility evaluation. Based on the comparison of water volume at a hydropower plant (HPP) and fuel amount at a combined heat and power plant (CHPP) that is used for generation of 1 kW power, it is possible to determine a water price for a HPP. Using the examples of Novosibirsk HPP and CHPP, it is expected to develop an estimation of economic effect from the implementation of the developed criteria, the proposed method of determination of a water price at HPP, and the method of separating fuel costs at CHPP. As a result of implementing the developed method for theHPP, theprice of sold electricity in the flexible energy market will be comparable with the price for sold electricity produced at theCHPP, being equal to approximately 330 RUB/MW·h. Moreover, CHPP are expected to have savings of specific fuel consumption for electricity generation in the amount of 5 g/kW·h and, in some case, 10 g/kW·h. In terms of money, this amounts about 7,350,000 – 14,700,000 RUB per month.

Models of Optimal Operating Modes of the Water-Economic Complex on the Basis of Hydro Resource Price Evaluation

“…The leading principle of profit maximization is the criterion of control of the operation modes of HPPs at present [2,[53][54][55][56]. This criteria is shown in Figure 1.…”

“…In the methodology developed by the authors, it is proposed to use their monetary equivalents, namely the marginal costs of water and fuel according to expressions (5) and ( 6), instead of the physical values of the characteristics of the relative increments of water consumption at HPPs and fuel at an equivalent TPP [52,53]. This will make it possible to more comprehensively and correctly reflect the physical picture when optimizing the operating modes of the mixed power system:…”

“…It should also be noted that the power indicators for a certain hour of the daily load schedule belong to this indifference curve within a certain month [52,53].…”

“…Moreover, when switching to monetary units, when constructing the characteristics of the relative increase in water consumption at HPPs and fuel at an equivalent TPP, a check of the form λ = const is not required [53].…”

“…And as one of the most important advantages of the method, it can be noted that it becomes possible to realistically determine the cost of a hydro resource, taking into account the regime characteristics of hydropower plant, in order to comply with the conditions for the energy balance of generating companies [53][54][55][56][57].…”