Optimizing Operation Strategy in a Simulated High-Proportion Wind Power Wind–Coal Combined Base Load Power Generation System under Multiple Scenes

In order to accommodate more intermittent renewable energy in coal-dominated power systems, conventional thermal power plants need to improve their operational flexibility to balance the energy system at all times. However, flexible operation of coal-fired power plants could reduce energy efficiency and increase CO2 and pollutant emission, so it is important to consider environmental implications and optimize the dispatch of wind and coal power units in the system. In this paper, based on the output profile of wind power, a wind power peak (T, H) simulation model based on Gaussian distribution was established. Using a high-proportion wind power wind–coal combined base load power generation system as an example, the economical and environmentally friendly unit operation based on different wind power penetration was studied by simulation, and the decision strategy was established. Wind energy curtailment boundary was determined with power generation cost, energy consumption, CO2 and pollutant emissions as decision targets, respectively. Weekly scale results indicate that incorporating energy consumption and pollutant emissions into consideration will lead to different decision-making strategies compared with only targeting minimizing wind curtailment. This paper established a decision-making model of wind–coal system operation strategy based on economy and environmental criteria. This work directly contributes to real system operation and is of great significance for future scheduling/dispatch studies of actual power systems.