A Technique for the Automated Scheduling of the Maintenance of Generating Facilities

As generating facilities increase in size, number and complexity, the impact of maintenance schedules on power system reliability and cost also increases. This paper describes a technique and a computer program which have been developed as an operating and planning tool for scheduling the maintenance of generating facilities. The technique is a method for generating maintenance schedules which increase reliability and meet all practical scheduling constraints. The paper includes a description of the maintenance scheduling problem, the model on which the scheduling technique is based, and a description of the optimization technique. The model used in the program can be applied to large systems and recognizes a comprehensive set of scheduling constraints, including the availability of crews, outdoor units, past and pre-scheduled maintenance, maintenance of auxiliary equipment and others. The maintenance of each unit is scheduled so that the interrelated constraints on the system are resolved and so that the minimum net reserve in the schedule is maximized. The approach and the program can also be applied to the coordination of maintenance within power pools. Program input and output are shown for the application of the program to a sample system.