Research article

Optimization of multi-period investment planning in street lighting systems by mixed-integer linear programming

¹ Instituto de Energía Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional de San Juan – CONICET San Juan, Argentina
² Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional de  Colombia Bogota Colombia

^* e-mail: srriverar@unal.edu.co

Received: 17 November 2022
Accepted: 24 October 2023

Abstract

This article proposed the use of multi-period mixed-integer linear programming method for investment planning to support decision-making processes in upgrading and managing street lighting systems. The technique incorporates a multi-variate model that maximizes energy-saving by considering budget constraints, the state of the lighting system, and the available technology in the market to replace the existing streetlights. This topic is novel because the complexity of the problem relies on the existence of several potentially large investments. As explained in this paper, the proposed method optimally considers the investments and returns as a combination that maximizes energy savings. The method was tested using actual data from an undisclosed public lighting system in Colombia. The results obtained revealed that multi-period investment optimization based on mixed-integer linear programming is an ideal investment plan, particularly in streetlight systems. Therefore, it forms an invaluable tool for street lighting systems' administrators and decision-makers in optimizing and facilitating the critical decision-making process in their work environment.