Maintenance scheduling optimization in renewable and conventional power systems: A review

Periodic maintenance services are important for power system components to minimize potential failures and repair costs, improving system reliability, and postpone the need for constructing new generating units and transmission lines. The maintenance scheduling (MS) program is designed to optimally determine the planned outage periods of related units and lines for maintenance services. This work presents a critical review of generation and transmission MS strategies in both renewable and conventional power systems. It highlights key factors influencing optimal MS, such as the dynamics in electricity market, load demand, and reserve requirements. The concept of integrated MS (i.e., coordinated generation and transmission MS) is also discussed. The review covers MS frameworks for various renewable sources including hydropower, wind turbines, and photovoltaic systems, alongside conventional units such as thermal plants, gas turbines, and cogeneration systems. The review also deals with uncertainties, objective functions, and coordination of MS with broader power system problems, such as fuel limits, congestion, and carbon emissions. Moreover, the work emphasizes real-world MS programs implemented across different countries with giving key findings and research gaps. This study is beneficial for researchers seeking to advance the field in future studies and power utilities aiming to implement effective and efficient MS programs.