Optimal operation of hydrothermal systems in the short term

This paper is aimed to the solution of the short-term-hydrothermal generation scheduling problem (HGSP) by means of a genetic algorithm. The hydrothermal coordination is solved using an equivalent cost function for the available thermal units, while the unit commitment and the economic dispatch are solved considering the more capable individuals that are obtained from the hydrothermal coordination stage, restrictions of volume and discharges of water are dealt with, generating limits of both hydroelectric and thermal units, physical limitations on the storage volumes of reservoirs as well as discharged quantities. The spinning reserve and losses are considered too.