A two-year assessment of the computerized operational-planning program at Cincinnati Gas & Electric

In the fall of 1985, a number of factors-emphasis on improving operating efficiency, desire to maximize off-system sale opportunities, and need for more rigorous dispatcher training-prompted the Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company (CG&E) to move to computerized operational planning. This tool provides CG&E dispatchers with an automatic capability to cost and schedule short-term transaction, optimize thermal unit commitment schedules, and coordinate responses to short-term unit outages. Looking back over two years, the authors describe the highlights of the computerized operational planning program at CG&E, and report some of the utility´s experience in this area. Particular emphasis is placed on three major issues that confronted the programs planners; choice of computer, acceptance of the program by operating personnel, and optimization capability