Startup cost model using time counter

1. A computerized method for determining a generator startup cost modeling using a time counter for use in optimizing generator operation, said method comprising:

assigning, using a computer processor, a binary value to one or more time segment variables each associated with an increment of the time counter wherein a relationship defined by the sum of the one or more time segment variables being greater than or equal to a binary startup variable constitutes a first constraint of a model for determining generator startup cost, wherein a relationship defined by a sum of products of each binary time segment variable and time increment being less than or equal to a time-off variable constitutes a second constraint of the model, wherein the time-off variable being less than or equal to a time horizon used by the model constitutes a third constraint of the model, wherein the time-off variable indicates an amount of time that the generator is shutoff over the time horizon;

assigning, using the computer processor, a value to one or more startup costs variables associated with each of the one or more time segment variables; and

determining the startup cost of a shutdown time for use in optimizing generator operation by summing, by the computer processor, the products of each time segment variable and associated startup cost variable subject to meeting said first, second and third constraints and further subject to a minimization operator, which, when executed by the computer processor, is configured to minimize generator startup cost, wherein the minimization operator comprises min{S t 1 *C 1 +S t 2 *C 2 + . . . +S t i *C i . . . S t k *C k }, wherein S t i represents a time segment variable for an ith time segment and C i represents the startup cost associated with said ith time segment, wherein i is a positive integer number.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binary value is selected from a one unit value and a zero unit value.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value assigned to the one or more startup cost variables is an increasing stepwise form of a startup cost function.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the startup variable is assigned a one unit value when the generator starts.

5. The method of claim 1 ,wherein the time segment variable associated to the current increment of time counter is assigned a one unit value when the generator starts.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time segment variable associated with a first increment of the time counter is assigned a one unit value if the time counter is stopped prior to the first increment.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time segment variable associated with a last increment of the time counter is assigned a one unit value if the time counter reaches a final count.

8. A computer implemented system for determining a generator startup cost using a counter for use in optimizing generator operation, said system comprising:

a memory;

a display device;

and a processor for executing instructions that perform the steps of:

assigning a binary value to one or more time segment variables each associated with an increment of the time counter wherein a relationship defined by the sum of the one or more time segment variables being greater than or equal to a binary startup variable constitutes a first constraint of a model for determining generator startup cost, wherein a sum of products of each binary time segment variable and time increment being less than or equal to a time-off variable constitutes a second constraint of the model, wherein the time-off variable being less than or equal to a time horizon used by the model constitutes a third constraint of the model, wherein the time-off variable is indicative of time;

assigning a value to one or more startup costs variables associated with each of the one or more time segment variables; and

determining the startup cost of a shutdown time for use in optimizing generator operation by summing the products of each time segment variable and associated startup cost variable subject to meeting said first, second and third constraints and further subject to a minimization operator configured to minimize generator startup cost, wherein the minimization operator comprises min{S t 1 *C 1 +S t 2 *C 2 + . . . +S t i *C i . . . S t k *C k }, wherein S t i represents a time segment variable for an ith time segment and C i represents the startup cost associated with said ith time segment, wherein i is a positive integer number, and wherein the time-off variable indicates an amount of time that the generator is shutoff over the time horizon.

9. The computer implemented system of claim 8 , wherein the value assigned to the one or more startup cost variables is an increasing stepwise form of a startup cost function.

10. The computer implemented system of claim 8 , wherein the time segment variable associated to the current increment of time counter is assigned a one unit value when the generator starts.

11. The computer implemented system of claim 8 , wherein the time segment variable associated with a first increment of the time counter is assigned a one unit value if the time counter is stopped prior to the first increment.

12. The computer implemented system of claim 8 , wherein the time segment variable associated with a last increment of the time counter is assigned a one unit value if the time counter reaches a final count.

13. A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions embedded therein, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement a method for determining a generator startup cost using a time counter for use in optimizing generator operation, comprising:

assigning a binary value to one or more time segment variables each associated with an increment of the time counter wherein a relationship defined by the sum of the one or more time segment variables is greater than or equal to a binary startup variable constitutes a first constraint of a model for determining generator startup cost, wherein a sum of products of each binary time segment variable and time increment being less than or equal to a time-off variable constitutes a second constraint of the model, wherein the time-off variable being less than or equal to a time horizon used by the model constitutes a third constraint of the model;

assigning a value to one or more startup cost variables associated with each of the one or more time segment variables; and

determining the startup cost of a shutdown time for use in optimizing generator operation by summing the products of each time segment variable and associated startup cost variable subject to meeting said first, second and third constraints and further subject to a minimization operator configured to minimize generator startup cost, wherein the minimization operator comprises min{S t 1 *C 1 +S t 2 *C 2 + . . . +S t i *C i . . . S t k *C k }wherein S t i represents a time segment variable for an ith time segment and C i represents the startup cost associated with said ith time segment, wherein i is a positive integer number, wherein the time-off variable indicates an amount of time that the generator is shutoff over the time horizon.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the value assigned to the one or more startup cost variables are increasing stepwise form of a startup cost function.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the time segment variable associated to the current increment of time counter is assigned a one unit value when the generator starts.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the time segment variable associated with a first increment of the time counter is assigned a one unit value if the time counter is stopped prior to the first increment.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the time segment variable associated with a last increment of the time counter is assigned a one unit value if the time counter reaches a final count.