Alternative low-carbon generation and transmission expansion planning models for power systems with limited clean energy resources
Creators: name: Asgharian, Vahid
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2022

description: The decarbonization of the electricity sector plays a pivotal role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and accordingly in decreasing the pace of climate change. On the other hand, the growing electricity demand necessitates the expansion of the generation and transmission capacity of the power system. In recent years, expanding the capacity of clean energy resources (CERs) has been considered in numerous low-carbon power system expansion planning studies. However, the limited capacity for CERs in many power systems, the disappearance of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for small CER projects, and the progressive carbon emission reduction targets (ERTs) challenges the existing low-carbon generation and transmission expansion planning (G&amp;TEP) models based on CER. Inter-area energy transactions have alternatively been put forward as a means of decarbonization, wherein areas trade energy in a multi-area power system (MAPS). Nonetheless, existing G&amp;TEP models for MAPS did not allow for the consideration of the individual environmental and economic benefits and requirements of the different areas forming the MAPS. The main goal of this thesis is to develop economically feasible new low-carbon expansion planning models for power systems with limited capacity of CERs. First, we introduce a bi-level coordinated G&amp;TEP model for MAPSs wherein the individual economic benefits and environmental requirements of the different areas are considered separately. Second, we expand the developed bi-level G&amp;TEP model for MAPS to consider the deregulated power system structure, wherein the energy transactions are determined in a power market environment. The proposed bi-level models are crucial for the successful implementation of the low-carbon MAPS expansion planning as they prevent one area from bearing additional expansion costs without compensatory benefits and provide advantageous collaboration for all the areas participating in the MAPS expansion planning. Third, a coordinated G&amp;TEP and carbon capture and storage (CCS) expansion planning model is developed for a power system with a limited capacity of CERs. The proposed model determines the optimal order and time of CCS retrofitting of carbon emitter generation units coordinated with the G&amp;TEP to meet the ERTs of the power system under study. Finally, a planning model for the strategic investment in generation and energy storage is developed for an independent clean power producer (ICPP) in the absence of PPAs. This model aims at enabling ICPPs to contribute in the decarbonization of the power system in the absence of PPAs. Different case studies are performed using the proposed models. Results from the developed case studies indicate that the proposed expansion planning models present interesting decarbonization alternative for power systems with low CERs potential. It is demonstrated that power systems with limited capacity for CERs can still meet their ERTs through an increase in their energy transactions with neighboring power systems, retrofitting their pollutant generation units with CCS units, and through ICPPs (even in the absence of PPA).