2. Suppose we are planning power system operations for 24 hours. Data for a typical spring

day in the San Diego Gas & Electric territory has been uploaded to an Excel workbook on

Canvas (with generators aggregated to avoid exceeding Excel Solver's limit of 200 decision

variables). Data includes the resources, the availability of renewable resources in each of

the 24 hours, and demand. Note that demand is recorded at the level of the transmission-

distribution interface, and accordingly does not include any load served by distribution-level

photovoltaics.

Construct a model in Excel describing this system and solve to determine an optimal

production schedule for the six resources. Assume a gas price of $3.50/MMBtu, but leave in

the capability to modify this assumption for future problem sets.

(a) What is the total cost to operate the system for the day?

(b) In what hours is the combined cycle gas plant on the margin? What is the price during

these hours?