Optimal operation for a bi-fuel thermal power plant by mathematical programming

This study is an attempt to provide the management of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand with an effective tool for determining the best operation of thermal units. A bi-fuel thermal power plant at North Bangkok, consisting of three thermal units, is considered. One of these units is adaptable to both lignite and fuel oil use, while the others use only fuel oil. A general optimization model, applicable to most power plants, is developed and a simplified version is applied to the North Bangkok Power Plant. A 0–1 mixed integer linear programming technique is used to find a method of operating the thermal units, which minimizes total fuel costs. Comparing the optimal solutions with actual operating strategies shows that savings in costs can be realised by implementing the model solution. Moreover, since the framework developed is quite general, it may be usefully applied to other power plant studies.