Generation planning and operation under power stability constraints: A Hydro-Quebec use case

TL;DR

This paper discusses how Hydro-Quebec integrated power stability constraints into its generation planning and operation tools, addressing unique challenges posed by its large hydroelectric grid and extensive transmission network.

Contribution

It presents the adaptation of mixed integer linear programming tools to incorporate nonlinear stability limits specific to Hydro-Quebec's grid architecture.

Findings

Successful integration of stability constraints into planning tools

Enhanced monitoring of nonlinear stability phenomena

Improved reliability of generation and operation decisions

Abstract

Hydro-Quebec (HQ) is a vertically integrated utility that produces, transmits, and distributes most of the electricity in the province of Quebec. The power grid it operates has a particular architecture created by large hydroelectric dams located far north and the extensive 735kV transmission grid that allows the generated power to reach the majority of the load located thousands of kilometers away in the southern region of Quebec. The specificity of the grid has led HQ to develop monitoring tools responsible for generating so-called stability limits. Those stability limits take into account several nonlinear phenomena such as angular stability, frequency stability, or voltage stability. Since generation planning and operation tools rely mostly on mixed integer linear programming formulation, HQ had to adapt its tools to integrate stability limits into them. This paper presents the challenges it faced, especially considering its reserve monitoring tool and unit commitment tool.