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Power Economics and Emissions

Description: 

This applet simulates a system that is owned by a power utility company. The company provides power to three communities. It owns and operates generators (which can be turned on and off in the exercise) and the transmission lines that serve the communities. On this system, it is usually possible for the utility company to supply all of the load demand using the local generators. However, there could be many reasons why this is not possible or most profitable, and then electricity is purchased from or sold to the external system.

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External System 1External System 2Substation 1Substation 2Substation 3Substation 4Substation 5Substation 6Natural GasHydroelectricCoalNuclearCommercetonAngry FaceResidenceburgAngry FaceIndustryvilleAngry FaceWind Turbine BaseWind Turbine PropellorWind Turbine BaseWind Turbine PropellorWind Turbine BaseWind Turbine Propellor
External System 1
External System 2
Substation 1
Substation 2
Substation 3
Substation 4
Substation 5
Substation 6
Natural Gas
Offline
Hydroelectric
1000 MW
Coal
600 MW
Nuclear
Offline
Commerceton
850 MW
Residenceburg
1700 MW
Industryville
850 MW
Wind Farm
Offline
900 MW110 MW1010 MW250 MW1000 MW600 MW850 MW640 MW0 MW850 MW0 MW160 MW1700 MW0 MW900 MW640 MWCost: $27,000/hr
Emissions: 540.0 tons/hrCost: $27,000/hr
Emissions: 540.0 tons/hrCost: $700/hr
Emissions: 0.0 tons/hrCost: $12,300/hr
Emissions: 0.0 tons/hrCost: $23,996/hr
Emissions: 600.0 tons/hrCost: $6,500/hr
Emissions: 0.0 tons/hrPayment: $76,500/hrPayment: $153,000/hrPayment: $76,500/hrCost: $200/hr
Emissions: 0.0 tons/hrTransmission and Distribution
Costs: $25,000/hrTotal Costs: −$183,304/hrTotal Emissions: 1,680 tons/hr



Challenges: 
  1. Press the Reset System button. Currently, the system is spending $54,000 per hour to purchase energy from external systems. Can you find a way to set the system so that the power grid does not have to rely on external systems to meet the needs of its customers?
  2. Without changing the demand from the communities, maximize the provider's profits. How large is the provider's profit? What did you do to maximize the profits?
  3. Without changing the demand from the communities, maximize the provider's profits. How large is the provider's profit? What did you do to maximize the profits?
  4. Press the Reset Time button. Keep the power demand from Residenceburg at 1700 MW (megawatts) and from Commerceton and Industryville at 850 MW. Adjust the system so that the utility is making a profit and the CO2 emissions are lower than 1000 metric tons per hour.
Resources: 
  • Quick-Start Guide: Use this quick-start guide to learn about the features of this applet.
  • Lesson.pdf: Lessons have been created to help you use this applet in your classroom.
  • Lesson.docx: Lessons are available as word documents as well.
  • Student Pages.pdf: A Student Notebook has been developed to accompany the lessons. 
  • Student Pages.docx
  • Power Grid Game.pdf: A 2-player game has been developed for this applet. You and a partner will use this applet to play a game in which you will compete to see who is better at controlling unexpected situations that may occur.
  • Power Grid Game.docx