Electric Power Systems Planning Using Linear Programming

A linear programming model can be used to plan new generation and transmission systems. The instance described is a model for the Pacific Coast region of the United States for the years 1965 through 1980. The method allows simultaneous optimization, at a high level of aggregation, of all decision variables relevant to this geographic space and time period. The results include marginal cost estimates and analysis of the sensitivity of the solution to various given data and parameters, as well as a description of the optimal system. The strengths and limitations of linear programming in this use are discussed.