Inter-provincial multi-channel centralized bidding framework for pumped storage hydropower plants considering spatiotemporal coupling

Pumped storage hydropower plants (PSHPs) in China have recently begun participating in inter-provincial medium- and long-term (IPMLT) markets. However, the effective utilization of their regulation potential is currently hindered by rigid, fixed-path trading mandated by the administrative two-part tariff system. This “point-to-point” isolation prevents PSHPs from establishing competitive relationships across a broader geographical scope, leading to underutilization of their wide-area regulation capabilities. To bridge this gap, we propose an inter-provincial multi-channel centralized bidding framework specifically designed for the spatiotemporal coupling characteristics of PSHPs. This framework integrates three novel components: (1) two centralized clearing models developed to decouple the pumping and generation processes, establishing a multi-channel trading mechanism that maximizes PSHP's arbitrage revenue; (2) a decomposition and pairing method designed to apply merit-order matching to preliminary cleared energy, reconciling operational constraints with market economics in the final clearing results; (3) a multi-stage security verification strategy devised to precisely identify and curtail infeasible energy, thereby avoiding the over-curtailment inherent in pro-rata methods. The proposed framework is validated through a case study of the Zhen'an PSHP in China, demonstrating its capability to ensure physical feasibility while improving rescource allocation efficiency.