1. Virginia Coal Power Generation
LT Trey Dittberner, USN
LT Edward Carlton, USN

2. Agenda Background Network Setup Network Model
Interdiction/Network Defense
Further Research
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3. Background 2010 – 984.6 Million tons produced (US)
US mines contain enough coal to last 241 years
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4. Background The state of Virginia produces 3.4 TWh/month from coal.
Virginia Coal Flow, 2005
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5. Background Network Vulnerabilities
Shipment (rail) problems/disruptions
Cost increases
Environmental Activism (Hippies)
Terrorism
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6. Network Setup
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7. Network Setup
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8. Network Setup
Note: Partial network only
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9. Network Model Set up as Min Cost Flow Fixed cost for rail transport
Coal enters from Virginia mines or Imports
Transported to power plants for consumption
Coal can be moved from plant to plant as needed
Network goal is to provide minimum required coal amounts at lowest cost
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10. Network Model All coal that enters the system is consumed
Rail assumptions
$9/mile, standard freight rail cost
Capacity of one train = 1370 short tons
Modeling Formulation
Import from sea most expensive option
Coal may move from node to node
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11. Interdiction/Network Defense
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12. Interdiction/Network Defense
The network is highly vulnerable to cost changes
Network can recover from disrupted arcs, but at increasing cost
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13. Network Attacks
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14. Interdiction/Network Defense
Node subject to most attacks: Chesapeake
Less than 8 attacks, pattern appears nested
At 11 attacks, costs rise dramatically
Power plants with greatest capacity are frequently target (logical).
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15. Further Research Varying plant capacity More detailed train movement
Vary turnaround time
Account for coal exports
Account for varying plant efficiencies
Account for each plant as sole/multi-source of power for geographic region
Model cost of compliance with environmental regulations
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16. References Virginia Energy Patterns and Trends (VEPT)
US Department of Energy
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17. Questions?
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19. Backup
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