An optimal formulation and solution of short-range operating problems for a power system with flow constraints

The complete problem, to minimize the operating cost of a hydrothermal generation system over one day (or one week) is formulated and solved through a few assumptions: the dc approximation and a linear law for the fuel costs, primarily the methods used mix the combinatorial and the electrical features of the problem. New methods employed are a branch and bound method for the thermal unit commitment, a gradient method to set the hydropower, and an economic dispatch routine with active flow constraints.