An improved robust model for generator maintenance scheduling

The maintenance schedule of generators in power plants needs to match the electricity demand and ensure the reliability of the power plants at a minimum cost of operation. In this article, a reliability criterion modified generator maintenance scheduling (MGMS) model is formulated with additions and modifications made to the classic generator maintenance scheduling (GMS) model. The MGMS model includes modified maintenance window constraints with some newly added constraints. A comparison is then made between the MGMS model and the classic GMS model when both models are applied to a 21-unit test system. The results show that the MGMS model gives more reliable solutions than the GMS model. Due to the reliable results of the reliability criterion MGMS model, a robust model using economic cost objective function is formulated. To illustrate the robustness of the formulated MGMS model, the maintenance of the Arnot Power Plant in South Africa is scheduled with open loop and closed loop controllers. Both controllers satisfy all the constraints but the closed loop results are better than the open loop results.

► This article formulates a modified generator maintenance scheduling (MGMS) model. ► The MGMS model gives more reliable solutions than classical models. ► Model predictive control is applied to obtain robust solutions for the model.