Can efficiency evaluation be applied to power plant operation improvement? A combined method with modified weighted russell directional distance model and pattern matching

When there is no further potential to be gained from technological upgrading, it is crucial for coal-fired power plants to effectively utilize their input fuels to improve their operational efficiency and reduce emissions. This paper proposes a coal management model that combines modified weighted russell directional distance model and pattern matching to help coal-fired power plants improve their operation while finding more potential for energy saving and emission abatement. An operational strategy base is established by using efficiency evaluation results for unit daily operational data, and feasible coal blending schemes are accordingly located in the strategy base for different load conditions. The model measures the improvement potential from three perspectives: coal blending, coal input and load dispatching. The daily operational data of four units (two units with circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers and two sub-critical units) in a typical coal-fired power plant were collected for case study, and the results indicate that our model can provide effective decision support in plants’ operational management to achieve efficiency improvement.