Multi-Technical Flexibility Retrofit Planning of Thermal Power Units Considering High Penetration Variable Renewable Energy: The Case of China

Jiaomin Liu, Tong Guo, Yue Wang, Yonggang Li and Shanshan Xu
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Jiaomin Liu: State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China
Tong Guo: State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China
Yue Wang: Department of Electrical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China
Yonggang Li: Department of Electrical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China
Shanshan Xu: Department of Electrical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: High penetration variable renewable energy introduces flexibility issues to the power system. For countries with coal as their main energy source, retrofitting existing thermal power units is one of the most realistic and feasible measures to improve power system flexibility. Multiple retrofit options will almost certainly be available for each individual power plant—all with distinct investment costs and performance implications. Therefore, this paper develops a multi-technical flexibility retrofit planning model to inform investment decisions of thermal power units in the short term. The model is formulated as a mix linear programming, with the goal of minimizing the systems overall investment and operational costs. In particular, a linear formulation is proposed to solve the coupling problem of retrofitting and operating, and take account of the changes in various units’ operational parameters after retrofit. The correctness and effectiveness of the proposed models are verified by a case study through a modified IEEE-30 bus system. The results demonstrate that it is necessary to consider the complementariness of multiple technologies between units. Besides, the proposed model could minimize the overall system investment and operational costs, and provide advice to planners and power generation companies.

Keywords: variable renewable energy; flexibility retrofit; multiple retrofit options; mixed integer programming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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