Spanish
English
Merit Order Dispatch
Merit Order Rating (MOR) / Merit Order Dispatch (MOD) is used to optimize the cost of generation of power plants with multiple generating units by ranking them in order of their cost of production. The objective of the solution is to find the least cost loading for individual units given a specific station demand. Cost curve of generation for each unit is identified from historical data and performance calculation results. Optimization techniques are applied to these curves to identify the loads for each unit that will result in the least generation cost for the specified station demand.
Kalkitech’s MOR Package runs in a continuous advisory mode since the station demand is expected to vary continuously. The MOR package also works closely with the Performance Optimization modules as well as ABT modules in coming out with the most cost-effective solution for a generating station. Given a station demand, the MOR Package identifies a loading pattern for individual units that will result in the least cost of generation and at the same time ensure that none of the unit constraints provided is violated. The MOR solution is based on Kalkitech’s intelligent power plant optimization software called ELTRIX and will need to run periodically to account for varying station demand.
Support Documents
Kalkitech MOD Solution makes fuel cost curves for individual units in the plant based on historical performance data for each unit. Given a specific station demand made available, optimization techniques are applied to identify the optimum-loading pattern for each unit. This will be the combination at which the station demand can be met with minimum generation cost. While optimizing the generation cost unit constraints applicable for each unit such as minimum and maximum load, outage intervals are considered. The solution identifies the loading pattern for units that provide the least cost of generation without violating any of the constraints. Output of calculations and optimizations performed by the package is provided to the user as graphical and tabular reports.
The MOR Package works in conjunction with the Data Acquisition System (DAS) package for the generating station. MOR models can be used for capacity declaration and planning as well as for real-time generation control. Various constraints such as equipment maintenance and unit shutdowns, auxiliary failures, ramp up / ramp down constraints, emission constraints are accounted for proving an output for Economic Load Dispatch.
A typical operational scenario for the MOR Package is illustrated in the main image shown above. Station demand is given by the RLDC and the plant is required to follow this schedule. Based on the schedule given by the RLDC, the optimization module comes up with the optimal (least cost) distribution of this load among all the different units. This is provided to the user in advisory mode or can be written back to the DCS as set points. In this manner the MOR solution will allow the plant to meet the station demand at the minimum possible operating cost.
A Unit Commitment Model can also be used for planning the optimal use of generating resources based on the forecasts available. A generating unit’s shutdown cost, start up cost, operational cost, spinning reserve needs, emission constraints are the key decision variables considered for committing a particular unit for generation. A unit commitment model takes input from a forecasting model and the output of the unit commitment model can be given to Merit Order Rating model. Unit Commitment Model can be applied primarily for generation surplus markets or for generating companies with merchant power plants.
Typical modules in a MOD system includes:
- Historical data store
- Correction curves
- Curve fitting module
- Plant inputs: Min-max constraints, Auxiliary constraints, Station demand, Cost-curve data and configurable parameters
- Grouping of units
- Optimization module
- Communication driver
- Reports.
Key features of our MOD solutions include:
- Economic Dispatch model complying to IEC-61970 Common Information Models for exchanging information with third party systems
- Performance Calculation templates, standard templates available based on ASME-PTC
- Integration options with maintenance management systems for plant shutdown / maintenance system, in case of no-maintenance management operator can enter maintenance plans from Eltrix web portal
- Capable of handling multiple generation units
- Build cost models for generating units with grouping under common AGC function from Eltrix model builder by simple drag-drop operations. These models can be linked with plant equipment and connectivity models
- Grouping of units for optimum load allocation is possible and for each group MOR shall be used for load distribution
- Graphical charts for cost comparison among the generation units
- User can view cost curve data in graphical chart and in tabular report format
- Excel data import facility for station demand and cost-curve data of units
- Historical module for identifying cost-curve data based on real-time process conditions
- Data smoothening for historical storage of process values
- Data entry facility for specifying maintenance constraints and auxiliary constraints
- User can view load allocation for the given date (96 blocks) or the MOR application can be configurable to run for every interval (1 minute to 15 minutes) thereby making it effective for ABT solutions
- Integration with plant database for reading and writing
- Unit Commitment model also built into the MOD system
- Reports include:
- Load allocation
- Unit constraints report
- Cost curve comparison report.
ELTRIX MOR Module
ELTRIX Merit Order Rating (MOR) module makes use of the fact that every generating unit has its own operating characteristics, shut down and startup costs, total cost of generation and plant efficiency. When such generating units are grouped together for scheduling or Automatic Generation Control (AGC), there exists a tremendous possibility of ensuring that the required schedule is met by keeping overall cost of generation for the group of units as minimum by achieving an optimal allocation amongst the units. In case of an AGC function a ramp up or ramp down of generation is done keeping the incremental cost of generation at the optimal value possible amongst the various generating units within the group. A Merit Order Rating can be done for day ahead and day of operation, with a granularity to time blocks for which generation is scheduled.
ELTRIX Merit Order Rating (MOR) module makes use of the fact that every generating unit has its own operating characteristics, shut down and startup costs, total cost of generation and plant efficiency. When such generating units are grouped together for scheduling or Automatic Generation Control (AGC), there exists a tremendous possibility of ensuring that the required schedule is met by keeping overall cost of generation for the group of units as minimum by achieving an optimal allocation amongst the units. In case of an AGC function a ramp up or ramp down of generation is done keeping the incremental cost of generation at the optimal value possible amongst the various generating units within the group. A Merit Order Rating can be done for day ahead and day of operation, with a granularity to time blocks for which generation is scheduled.
Historian
Historian is a real-time data software for acquiring, storing and displaying large amounts of operations and engineering information. It collects data from Communicator deep within the enterprise and stores it in a highly compressed format, allowing time-series data to be stored online in its original resolution. It enables accurate and timely performance-based decisions that improve operating costs. Historian stores the parameters relevant for identifying the performance of individual equipments. Along with the process parameter it continuously records the status of equipment. Kalkitech has partnered with INSTEP Software LLC to provide their leading historian application eDNA as a solution.
To know more about Historian, please visit eDNA Overview
To know more about Historian, please visit eDNA Overview
