Strategic Bidding and Scheduling in Reserve
Co-optimized Based Electricity Spot Markets
Victor Joel E. Francisco
Philippine Electricity Market Corporation
Pasig City, Philippines
vjefrancisco@wesm.ph
Allan C. Nerves
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines
anerves@eee.upd.edu.ph
Abstract— In electricity spot markets, revenue of independent
power producers (IPPs) is dependent on successful bidding
strategies. This research establishes a model for strategic bidding
and short-term generation scheduling in reserve co-optimized
markets like the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
The model, which is applicable to independent power producers,
is based on the combination of security constrained economic
dispatch and a probabilistic bidding model. The security
constrained economic dispatch models fundamental price drivers
in the market, and takes into account transmission network
parameters, marginal loss factors and reserve co-optimization to
solve schedules and nodal prices for energy and reserve. The
bidding model then determines optimum bid prices for each
trading interval, by maximizing the probability of a bid being
cleared while at the same time capitalizing on positive returns
from the market. A simulation tool is developed to implement the
strategic bidding model where strategies are derived for various
scenarios. The test system includes an independent power
producer with corresponding energy and reserve offers for
electricity market trading. Several bidding strategies, derived
from the model are then presented and discussed.
Keywords- strategic bidding; reserve co-optimized electricity
market; security constrained economic dispatch; marginal loss
factors; independent power producer
I. INTRODUCTION
The establishment of electricity spot-markets all over the
world has been the trend in the deregulation of state-owned
electric power industries. Electricity trading in successful
electricity spot-markets has been seen to increase
competitiveness and transparency in the electric power
industry. Depending on the market design, electricity markets
behave differently. In most cases, electricity is traded through
the submission of bids and offer quantities and their
corresponding prices. The market operator, which operates the
central power pool, uses this information to calculate the
optimal dispatch schedule and their corresponding spot prices.
Normally in this type of market structure, the generation
companies or independent power producers (IPPs) are
primarily responsible for their own bids and offers. These
companies must therefore have to deal with complex issues
arising from the uncertainty and volatility of spot market
prices.
Companies, especially those involved in the capital
intensive electric power industry, view uncertainty as a
financial risk, adding unnecessary risk premiums that
significantly decrease profit margins and greatly reduce the
feasibility of investment and expansion.
In the implementation of the Electric Power Industry
Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), the Philippine Wholesale
Electricity Spot Market (WESM) was established. In this
regard, bilateral contract dominated energy transactions are
augmented by a more competitive energy trading mechanism –
the wholesale electricity spot market. Philippine generation
companies, suppliers, aggregators and IPPs must therefore
develop their own bidding strategies in order to be competitive
in this market. These companies should be able to handle
dispatch and bidding decisions, as well as being capable of
implementing reliable trading decisions that will enable them to
recover their production cost and over-all investments.
This study aims to establish a strategic bidding and
generation scheduling model and platform that independent
power producers (IPPs) can utilize in developing their bidding
strategies for a reserve co-optimized electricity spot market.
Specifically, the research developed the following:
(a) A Security Constrained Economic Dispatch (SCED) model
which represents the market clearing engine to solve nodal
prices and schedules for both energy and reserve, taking into
account the interaction between energy and reserve prices in
co-optimization.
(b) A bidding model that determines optimum bid prices for
each trading interval, using expected spot prices from the
SCED model, by maximizing the probability of a bid being
cleared while at the same time ensuring revenue.
(c) An offline simulation tool which implements the entire
strategic bidding and scheduling model and is an independent
software package which has a user-friendly GUI.
Various researchers have proposed bidding strategies for
electricity spot markets. Each bidding strategy involves
different solution methods, varying degrees of complexity and
is usually applicable to specific market types. The design of
electricity spot markets around the world varies depending on
the intricacies of each power industry. Therefore, bidding
strategies for one market may not be applicable in another. To
formulate an accurate strategic bidding model, it is best to
select an appropriate bidding strategy model for a certain state
of the electricity spot market, with modifications as needed.
Certain factors such as complexity and practicality must also be
considered when choosing an appropriate bidding model.
978-1-4244-6890-4/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE TENCON 2010 592