Optimal generation of electricity from in a hydro based system - an experience with thermal independent power producers

A two stage optimal generation scheduling for Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) System has been presented. The first stage determines the hydro generation and the second stage optimizes the thermal generation including two independent power producers (IPPs) to compliment the hydro generation if necessary. The scheduling keeps balance between production and consumption in a more reliable and economical way. Linear programming mathematical model using MATLAB has been developed and used to optimize the generation schedule of the system. The constraints include hydrological balance; thermal power plants limitations, special conditions agreed with IPPs and load requirements. The linear programming solution gave schedule with least operation costs as the generation is mainly from hydropower plants at the same time the water levels in all reservoirs are always highly conserved