• 229 views | 2 messages Discussion: LEAP
    Topic: Diesel generator use in optimisation scenario Subscribe | Previous | Next
  • María Yetano 10/5/2018

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    Dear LEAP support team

    I have set up a model for Nigeria's power sector, using both simulation and optimisation features. In the optimisation scenarios, I find that the installed capacity of diesel back-up generators in the base year (over 75% of total installed capacity) is not being utilized in subsequent years (output is zero), no new capacity is installed, and no diesel fuel is imported. This happens even if I set the cost variables and the diesel fuel cost variable to zero, remove emission constraints, etc. If I add a "minimum capacity addition" constraint, the capacity does get installed but not utilized. Diesel is assigned as a feedstock fuel to the diesel generator branch under Processes and as far as I can see the diesel fuel branch under Resources is set up in exactly the same way as other feedstock fuels which are not giving problems e.g. natural gas. Any idea what I might be doing wrong?

    Many thanks in advance

    Maria


  • Taylor Binnington 10/10/2018
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    Hi Maria -

    There are a number of things which could be happening. The optimization features will both add capacity and dispatch new (or existing) capacity to meet the module's requirements in the least-cost way. So I'd go about verifying that the Fuel Cost (as found attached to the feedstock fuel beneath the process itself) and Variable O&M make sense, relative to other processes in the module that might be dispatched first by the algorithm if they have lower running costs.

    Otherwise, there are too many things that could be at play to propose looking into each one here. Feel free to attach you model, though, and I or another community member can have a look at it.

    Best,
    Taylor