Integrating Renewable and Nonrenewable Energies in Power Plant Planning

Problem statement: Electricity can be generated from different type of technologies such as fossil and non-fossil power plants. Among these technologies, coal-fired power plants have been a major route for electricity generation. Recently, environmental constraints were imposed over the coal power plant operations in order to reduce their emissions. Besides, renewable energy power plants such as hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal have emerged with a potential of low impact on the environment. Approach: In this study, coal-fired power plants with a mix of low emission power plants were analyzed from the viewpoint of coal power plant emission reductions while supplying electricity demand. Electricity capacity expansion was also included within the problem to insure sufficient electricity supply in circumstances of emission reduction constraints. Results: Pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x), Sulfur Oxides (SO_x) and mercury (Hg) were assumed to be the target compounds. A discrete mathematical programming model was formulated to give an assessment about the coal-fired power plant operations in an electricity generation network. Different scenarios of increased electricity demand and emission reduction targets were applied on Ontario Power Generation (OPG) network to give an illustration of the proposed model. Conclusion: The case study results show the significant impact of combining renewable energy or zero emission technologies on the optimal operation of a network that combines coal-fired power plants.