A Mixed Combinatorial Optimization Model to Manage the Hydrothermal Dispatch for the Uruguay River Hydroelectric Plant

This study introduces a Mixed-Integer Optimization Problem (MIP) formulated to manage the hydrothermal dispatch of the Uruguayan electric system, with emphasis on the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Plant on the Uruguay River: a binational project between Argentina and Uruguay that accounts for most of Uruguay’s installed hydroelectric capacity. The article supplements a previous work [12], where the non-linear production of the Río Negro Hydroelectric Complex was incorporated into a MIP. That complex is less significant for its generation capacity (power) than for its crucial storage capabilities (energy). The present work complements the earlier study by modeling the other major component of the Uruguayan hydroelectric system. Simulation results, based on historical inflow and demand data, show that the proposed approach can substantially reduce operating costs and enhance system resilience compared with traditional methods.