A novel hybrid approach using modified priority list and sequential approach for unit commitment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to solve commitment problem of generating units in thermal power plants and to find the optimal dispatches of the committed units. Design/methodology/approach – The unit commitment (UC) problem has been solved in two stages. In the first stage, the optimal units are identified using contribution factor. Initially, the generating units to be committed for each interval in the time horizon are obtained without considering the unit operational constraints such as minimum up time, minimum down time and initial state. Then the unit operational constraints are enforced and the optimal UC schedule is obtained. In the second stage, sequential approach with a matrix framework has been proposed to obtain the optimal dispatches of the committed units. Findings – The simple methodologies have been developed for unit selection and to find the optimal dispatches of the committed units. The results of proposed methodology illustrate an improvement in the savings of total cost. The proposed approach is computationally efficient for solving large‐scale systems and successive UC problems. Research limitations/implications – UC has a major role in electric thermal power plant operation. The problem with one day and one week scheduling horizon has a large potential of use, especially for small‐ and medium‐scale power systems. It reflects reality in a closer way and provides a more complete and realistic knowledge about the system in operation. The techniques developed for UC problem will provide a support to electric power companies for their economic operation and the concepts presented are useful in both graduate teaching and research to understand the UC problem. Originality/value – The contribution of the paper is the simple methodologies which have been developed for unit selection and economic dispatch.