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Real time resource allocation

  • US 5,424,958 A
  • Filed: 09/22/1993
  • Issued: 06/13/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for allocating a demanded amount of power to a plurality of power output apparatus, each power output apparatus having characteristic curves associated therewith, such that each of the power output apparatus supplies a portion of the demanded power wherein a total of the power outputted from the plurality of power output apparatus equals the amount of the demanded power, and such that the total power outputted from the plurality of power output apparatus results in a minimum cost for generating the demanded amount of power, and further wherein each boiler is allocated a quantity of waste fuel to be utilized in the generation of the demanded amount of power, the quantity of waste fuel utilized by all the power output apparatus over a predetermined time period being a predetermined total quantity of waste fuel, the method comprising the steps of:

  • a) entering characterization data for each of the power output apparatus into a controller, the data including cost, fuel, waste fuel, as a function of power output about each of the power output apparatus;

    b) generating optimum solutions by parts for all possible valid output power demands, within output power bounds of each of the power output apparatus, the solutions indicating the portion of power each power output apparatus is to supply to provide the total power demanded at minimal cost, and also indicating waste fuel, fuel, waste fuel to fuel ratio, to be utilized during a predetermined plurality of time intervals within the predetermined time period;

    c) storing the solutions in tables within a storage unit of the controller;

    d) upon receipt of a demand for power, performing a search of the solution tables to obtain the amount of power each power output apparatus is to supply and to obtain the fuel and waste fuel each power output apparatus is to utilize, the total of the amounts of power from each power output apparatus being equal to the amount of power demanded at minimal cost, and the total amount of waste fuel utilized over the time period being the predetermined total quantity of waste fuel; and

    e) outputting control signals to each of the power output apparatus, the control signals being indicative of the amount of power to be supplied.

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