EXPERIMENT No.

2
TO STUDY THE CONVEX AND NON-CONVEX CHARACTERISTICS OF
THERMAL UNITS USING MATLAB
PURPOSE:
To learn
1. Analysis and plot of convex characteristics of thermal generating units.
2. Analysis and plot of non-convex characteristics of thermal generating units.
3. To analyze the effect of cost coefficients on the convex and non-convex characteristics.

SOFTWARE USED:
MATLAB
INTRODUCTION:
In analyzing the problems associated with the operation of power system, there are many
possible parameters of interest. Fundamental is the basic cost data and set of input-output
characteristics of generation units. Different types of fuel are used in thermal power plants.
Depending on the types of turbine such as single value or multi value, the characteristic differs.
Although the operating cost of these units consists of both fuel and maintenance costs, only the
fuel cost varies directly with the units and also with the level of generation. The fuel cost is
incurred during the running (either at no-load or at any load), start-up and sometimes shutdown
conditions of the steam units.
Steam turbines with single valve operation usually exhibit smooth operations in
comparison with multivalve machine. Multi-inlet valves are opened and closed in sequence by
the turbine governor controlling the flow of steam to a separate group of nozzles. These valves
are opened and closed to minimize losses at partial loads allowing higher efficiencies to be
maintained under all load conditions but unfortunately their cost curves are not exactly convex
rather they exhibit discontinuities at valve opening and closing points making cost characteristics
non convex as shown below:

2.1 Input-Output Fuel Cost Characteristics:

Unit (Boiler, turbine and generator) input-output curve establishes the relationship between
energy input to the driving system and the net energy output from the generator.
(i) Convex Characteristics:

𝐻(𝑃) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑃 + 𝑐𝑃2 (𝑀𝑏𝑡𝑢⁄ℎ)

𝐹(𝑃) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑃 + 𝑐𝑃2 (𝑅⁄ℎ)

Where a, b and c are the thermal coefficients of generating unit.

 Figure 2.1: Input-Output heat rate characteristics

(ii) Non-Convex Characteristics:

Non convex characteristic results due to valve point effect, multiple fuels and prohibited
operating zones. The valve point effects produce a ripple, which is highly non-smooth and
discontinuous as represented in Figure 2.2.
𝐻(𝑃) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑃 + 𝑐𝑃2 + |𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑓(𝑃𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃)| (𝑀𝑏𝑡𝑢⁄ℎ)
or
𝐹(𝑃) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑃 + 𝑐𝑃2 + |𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑓(𝑃𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃)| (𝑅⁄ℎ)

Figure 2.2: Input-Output curve of Multi-Valve Steam Generator

2.2 Incremental Heat Rate Characteristics:
This incremental heat rate characteristic is the slope (the derivative) of the input-output
characteristic (dH/dP or dF/dP). The data shown on this curve are in terms of Btu per kilowatt
hour (or $ per kilowatt hour) versus the net power output of the unit in megawatts. This
characteristic is widely used in economic dispatching of the unit. It is converted to an
incremental fuel cost characteristic by multiplying the incremental heat rate in Btu per kilowatt
hour by the equivalent fuel cost in terms of $ per Btu. Frequently this characteristic is
approximated by a sequence of straight-line segments. The incremental heat rate characteristic
for a unit of Convex Characteristics type is shown in Following Figure:

Figure 2.3: Incremental heat rate curve

2.3. Net Heat Rate Characteristics

The last important characteristic of a steam unit is the unit (net) heat rate characteristic shown in
Following Figure. This characteristic is H/P or F/P versus P. It is proportional to the reciprocal
of the usual efficiency characteristic developed for machinery. The unit heat rate characteristic
shows the heat input per kilowatt hour of output versus the megawatt output of the unit.
 Figure 2.4: Net heat rate characteristics

PROCEDURE:
The procedure of plotting the convex and non-convex characteristics of thermal generating
stations is given below:

For Convex Characteristics:

1. For a given generating unit, write down the characteristic equation of machine in
following form:
𝐹(𝑃) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑃 + 𝑐𝑃2 (𝑅⁄ℎ)
2. Plot the graph between fuel cost and power generated by taking power output at x-
axes and input fuel cost at y-axes on graph paper. This equation gives the relation
between powers generated and input heat rate or fuel cost.
3. To plot incremental heat rate or incremental cost curve, take a derivative of above
mentioned quadratic characteristic curve.
𝑑𝐹(𝑃)
= 𝑏 + 2𝑐𝑃 (𝑅⁄𝑀𝑊ℎ)
𝑑𝑃
4. Plot the graph between𝑑𝐻⁄𝑑𝑃 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝐹⁄𝑑𝑃 against power generated P. This graph is
the slope of input-output characteristics of generating unit.
5. Now to determine the net heat rate characteristics, a graph is plotted between 𝐻/𝑃 or
𝐹⁄ versus Power output. The unit heat rate characteristic shows the heat input per
𝑃
kilowatt hour of output versus the megawatt output of units.
𝐹(𝑃) 𝑎
= + 𝑏 + 𝑐𝑃 (𝑅⁄𝑀𝑊ℎ)
𝑃 𝑃
6. Now these characteristics are also demonstrated through MATLAB. Open a new M-
file in MATLAB and type the following code:
For Non-Convex Characteristics:
1. For a given generating unit, write down the characteristic equation of machine in
following form:
𝐹(𝑃) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑃 + 𝑐𝑃2 + |𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑓(𝑃𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃)|
2. Plot the graph between fuel cost and power generated by taking power output at y-
axes and input fuel cost at x-axes on graph paper. This equation gives the relation
between powers generated and input heat rate or fuel cost.
3. To plot incremental heat rate or incremental cost curve, take a derivative of above
mentioned quadratic characteristic curve.
𝑑𝐹(𝑃)
= 𝑏 + 2𝑐𝑃 + (|𝑒𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑓(𝑃𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃)| − 𝑓) (𝑅⁄𝑀𝑊ℎ)
𝑑𝑃
4. Plot the graph between 𝑑𝐻⁄𝑑𝑃 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝐹⁄𝑑𝑃 against power generated P. This graph is
the slope of input-output characteristics of generating unit.
5. Now to determine the net heat rate characteristics, a graph is plotted between 𝐻/𝑃 or
𝐹⁄ versus Power output. The unit heat rate characteristic shows the heat input per
𝑃
kilowatt hour of output versus the megawatt output of units.
𝐹(𝑃) 𝑎 |𝑒𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑓(𝑃𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃)|
= + 𝑏 + 𝑐𝑃 + (𝑅⁄𝑀𝑊ℎ)
𝑃 𝑃 𝑃
6. Now these characteristics are also demonstrated through MATLAB. Open a new M-
file in MATLAB and type the following code:
EXERCISE:
F1  500  5.3P1  0.004 P12
The fuel cost functions for three thermal plants in $/h are given by:
F2  400  5.5P1  0.006 P12

F1  200  5.8P1  0.009 P12

Where P1, P2 and P3 are in MW.

For the given system plot the input-output fuel cost curve, incremental cost curve and net fuel
rate curve.

Convex Code :

tic
clc
clear all
close all
data=[500 5.3 0.004
400 5.5 0.006
200 5.8 0.009];
data1=data(1,:);
data2=data(2,:);
data3=data(3,:);
%fuel cost equation
a1=data1(1,1);
b1=data1(1,2);
c1=data1(1,3);

a2=data2(1,1);
b2=data2(1,2);
c2=data2(1,3);

a3=data3(1,1);
b3=data3(1,2);
c3=data3(1,3);
p=0:10:800;
for i=1
%fuel cost
F1=a1+b1*p+c1*(p.^2);
F2=a2+b2*p+c2*(p.^2);
F3=a3+b3*p+c3*(p.^2);
%incremental cost
H1=b1+2*c1*p;
H2=b2+2*c2*p;
H3=b3+2*c3*p;
%net heat
N1=a1./p+b1+c1*p;
N2=a2./p+b2+c2*p;
N3=a3./p+b3+c3*p;

end
%fuel cost curve
figure(1)
plot(p,F1,'--r');grid on
title('input output fuel cost
curve');
end
%fuel cost curve
figure(1)
plot(p,F1,'--r');grid on
title('input output fuel cost curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
ylabel('fuel cost ($/MW)');

hold on
plot(p,F2);grid on
hold on
plot(p,F3);
hold off
%incremental cost curve
figure(2)
plot(p,H1);grid on
title('incremental cost curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
ylabel('incremental cost (R/MWh)');

hold on
plot(p,H2);

hold on
plot(p,H3);
hold off
%net heat curve
figure(3)
plot(p,N1);grid on
title('net heat curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
ylabel('F/p (R/MWh)');

hold on
plot(p,N2);

hold on
plot(p,N3);
hold off
toc

Elapsed time is 1.466576 seconds.

Non Convex Code :
tic
clc
clear all
close all
data=[500 5.3 0.004
400 5.5 0.006
200 5.8 0.009];
data1=data(1,:);
data2=data(2,:);
data3=data(3,:);
%fuel cost equation
a1=data1(1,1);
b1=data1(1,2);
c1=data1(1,3);

a2=data2(1,1);
b2=data2(1,2);
c2=data2(1,3);

a3=data3(1,1);
b3=data3(1,2);
c3=data3(1,3);
pmin=10;%MW
pmax=850;%MW
p=pmin:10:pmax;
e=300;
f=0.003;

for i=1
%fuel cost
F1=a1+b1*p+c1*(p.^2)+abs(e*sin(f.*(pmin-p)));
F2=a2+b2*p+c2*(p.^2)+abs(e*sin(f.*(pmin-p)));
F3=a3+b3*p+c3*(p.^2)+abs(e*sin(f.*(pmin-p)));
%incremental cost
H1=b1+2*c1*p+((abs(e*cos(f.*(pmin-p))))-f);
H2=b2+2*c2*p+((abs(e*cos(f.*(pmin-p))))-f);
H3=b3+2*c3*p+((abs(e*cos(f.*(pmin-p))))-f);
%net heat
N1=a1./p+b1+c1*p+(abs(e*sin(f.*(pmin-p))))/p;
N2=a2./p+b2+c2*p+(abs(e*sin(f.*(pmin-p))))/p;
N3=a3./p+b3+c3*p+(abs(e*sin(f.*(pmin-p))))/p;

end
%fuel cost curve
figure(1)
plot(p,F1,'--r');grid on
title('input output fuel cost curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
ylabel('fuel cost ($/MW)');

hold on
plot(p,F2);grid on
hold on
plot(p,F3);
hold off
%incremental cost curve
figure(2)
plot(p,H1);grid on
title('incremental cost curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
hold on
plot(p,F2);grid on
hold on
plot(p,F3);
hold off
%incremental cost curve
figure(2)
plot(p,H1);grid on
title('incremental cost curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
ylabel('incremental cost (R/MWh)');

hold on
plot(p,H2);

hold on
plot(p,H3);
hold off
%net heat curve
figure(3)
plot(p,N1);grid on
title('net heat curve');
xlabel('power(MW)');
ylabel('F/p (R/MWh)');

hold on
plot(p,N2);

hold on
plot(p,N3);
hold off
toc

Elapsed time is 1.494799 seconds.

CONCLUSION:
In this lab we see the effect of alpha, beta and gamma on the Incremental cost curve, heat
Curve, Fuel Curve.
If all three Parameters increase then Net heat curve, Fuel curve of all generators start reach each
other. The fuel cost also decrease in Fuel cost curve by increasing three parameters.
The alpha don’t effect the Incremental cost curve but other two have the same effect on the
Curve as explain above.
In the case of non-convex, when the generating parameter ‘f’ is increase then number of ripples
in the curve also Increase and when the ‘e’ parameter increase then each ripple amplitude
increase.

TASK:
After going through the questions and answers related to the experiment, submit a
separate report which should include the analysis of the results of the experiment.

Teacher / Supervisor’s Signature: ______________________________________________