Optimal Scheduling of Hydro-Thermal Co-Ordination in Uganda

Abstract

The systematic coordination of the operation of a system of hydroelectric generation plants are usually more complex than the scheduling of an all-thermal generation system. The optimal coordination process involves short range and long-range hydrothermal scheduling. In Uganda, the on-grid hydrothermal system contains a large fraction of hydro-power generation (about 13124 GWh annually) compared to thermal power plants (about 434 GWh annually) [2]. During peak hours, thermal energy supplements the energy of the hydropower plants, the energy production cost of thermal plants is so high. The general objective of the project is to obtain a schedule that minimizes the cost of hydro-thermal coordination in Uganda. The case study of the project was Jacobsen thermal power plant and Bujaggali hydropower plant. The software used for power plant simulation and power plant coordination was Gams Software. The major parameter investigated are Hydropower plant output power (MW), Thermal plant output power (MW), Hydropower plant reservoir storage value (Acre-ft) and Hydropower plant reservoir flow rate (acre-ft/s). The project establishes that the maximum peak time is 17:00-23:00 and at Bujagali Hydropower station, the output power is 250 MW, the maximum flow rate of reservoir is 1450 acre/ft and the maximum variation of the reservoir storage is 44500 acre-ft. The thermal power plant should operate at maximum capacity only during peak time