A Dynamic Programming Based Method for Developing Dispatch Curves When Incremental Heat Rate Curves Are Non-Monotonically Increasing

The results of modeling unit input/output characteristics using third order equations resulted in some incremental heat rate curves (IHC) that were non-monotonically increasing. Because existing classical methods of dispatch based upon the Lagrangian Multiplier are no longer valid for multi-valued functions, a new method of determining dispatch curves using dynamic programming was developed. A series of comprehensive computer programs were developed using dynamic programming to calculate Pseudo IHC that are monotonically increasing and would calculate the proper economic dispatch points in a standard dispatching computer.