Abstract
The aim of this paper is to provide a bi-level model for the expansion planning on wind investment while considering different load ranges of power plants in power systems at a multi-stage horizon. Different technologies include base load units, such as thermal and water units, and peak load units such as gas turbine. In this model, subsidies are considered as a means to encourage investment in wind turbines. In order that the uncertainties related to demand and the wind turbine can be taken into consideration, these effects are modelled using a variety of scenarios. In addition, the load demand is characterized by a certain number of demand blocks. The first-level relates to the issue of investment in different load ranges of power plants with a view to maximizing the investment profit whilst the second level is related to the market-clearing where the priority is to maximize the social welfare benefits. The bi-level optimization problem is then converted to a dynamic stochastic mathematical algorithm with equilibrium constraint (MPEC) and represented as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) after linearization. The proposed framework is examined on a real transmission network. Simulation results confirm that the proposed framework can be a useful tool for analyzing the investments different load ranges of power plants on long-term strategic decision-making.