A novel heuristic optimisation algorithm for solving profit-based unit commitment for thermal power generation with emission limitations.

The profit-based unit commitment is a maximisation problem, which consists of the revenue minus costs subject to related constraints. However, with increasing concerns for the global warming, environmental limitations must also be observed. The objective of this study is to develop a novel heuristic optimisation algorithm for solving profit-based unit commitment, considering selling reserve, satisfying demand, and environmental emissions. Without emission limitations, the results show profits between 0.02% and 17.60% for profit-based unit commitment, as compared with other algorithms reported in the literature. As far as emission limitations are considered, the profits of 1.65–118.71% and emission cost reduction of 2.16–7.79% are achieved, as compared with those found in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]