EE 458

Course Objectives
Economic systems for electric power planning (Fall 2004)

M ,W, F 2-3, 1344 Howe

Instructors: Professors Jim McCalley, Ratnesh Kumar, and Oscar Volij

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Schedule

Course objectives

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HW,Quiz solutions

 

 

2005-2007 Catalog description:

EE/Econ 458. Economic systems for electric power planning. (3-0) Cr.3. F. Prereq: EE 303 or Econ 301.

Evolution of electric power industry. Power system operation and planning and related information systems.

Integer optimization methods. Control technologies and associated planning methods.

Short-term electricity markets and locational marginal prices. Risk management and financial derivatives.

Basics of public good economics. Cost recovery models including tax treatment for transmission investments.

Non-major graduate credit.

 

Course Supervisor:  Jim McCalley

 

Course Objectives:

Students completing this course will be able to conduct studies in policy, economics, and engineering associated with transmission

expansion for electric power systems and will significantly enhance their skills in using optimization methods for

engineering and economic problem-solving. Central to the course will be methods of cost-recovery systems for transmission

enhancement. The two most representative methods are articulated in the following statements:

Tariff-based cost-recovery model: Transmission expansion projects would be evaluated in a coordinated planning process to meet the demands

of the region (instead of those of a single utility’s service territory) at the least overall cost. Projects would be approved provided they

contribute to a reduction in the overall cost of meeting future demand across the system. Costs of approved projects would be recovered

through regional transmission tariffs over the long term, applied to all transmission users. The assurance of cost recovery by a regional

authority would allow those constructing the facilities to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

Market-driven cost-recovery model: The financial support for a transmission expansion is derived from

those who obtain transmission service. Its key assumption is that the financial commitment of market

participants, each acting in his own best interests (in this case the combined decisions of project sponsors and their

subscribers or customers), will be sufficient to ensure that new transmission is constructed. Transmission expansion

projects are initiated when enough entities have concluded that the project benefits outweigh their financial commitment

 and risks. Project sponsors are then guaranteed transmission rights once the project is completed. Essential to

implementation of this model are techniques to identify beneficiaries of transmission expansion projects.

Assessment of revenues generated for individual power system entities (transmission, generation, loads)

with and without such transmission enhancements must be performed to identify such beneficiaries.