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Generation Scheduling, Unit Commitment and Economic Dispatch

Deciding which generating units to run and how much each should produce has a direct effect on cost and reliability. This programme explains unit commitment and economic dispatch in clear, practical terms. Delegates learn how demand forecasts, unit costs and constraints combine into a workable operating schedule.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain the aims of unit commitment and economic dispatch.
  • Describe generating unit cost characteristics and constraints.
  • Prepare demand forecasts used for scheduling decisions.
  • Apply merit order and dispatch principles to a set of units.
  • Account for reserves, ramp limits and start up costs.
  • Interpret schedules and adjust them for changing conditions.

Course outline

  1. 01Purpose of scheduling and dispatch
  2. 02Generating unit cost characteristics
  3. 03Demand forecasting basics
  4. 04Merit order and dispatch principles
  5. 05Unit commitment constraints
  6. 06Reserves and reliability requirements
  7. 07Start up, ramp and minimum run limits
  8. 08Handling renewable variability
  9. 09Reading and adjusting schedules

Who should attend

Generation planners, system operators, dispatch engineers and energy analysts involved in scheduling generation.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
24 to 26 Aug 2026Online3US$900
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
7 to 9 Sep 2026Cairo3US$1,500
14 to 16 Sep 2026Accra3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Kigali3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Durban3R13,000
19 to 21 Oct 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
2 to 4 Nov 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
9 to 11 Nov 2026Dubai3US$1,500
16 to 18 Nov 2026Lagos3US$1,500
23 to 25 Nov 2026Harare3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Kampala3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
14 to 16 Dec 2026Pretoria3R13,000
21 to 23 Dec 2026Cape Town3R13,000

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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