Water Use Optimization Project: Development and Demonstration of Advanced Hydropower Planning and Operational Decision Tools

摘要

A major challenge facing conventional hydropower plants is to operate more efficiently while dealing with an increasingly uncertain water-constrained environment and complex electricity markets. The objective of a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is to develop and demonstrate an analytical tool set that will assist operators in meeting this challenge. A team of DOE National Laboratories is preparing a suite of advanced analytical tools for improving hydropower operational efficiency and environmental performance decisions. This tool set enhances available tools through the integration of water forecasting, reservoir and power system modeling, stream flow routing, ecological simulations and hydropower performance metrics. Tool set components are designed to operate individually or as an integrated suite. The tool set addresses a continuum of time horizons from long-term planning to real-time operations and is designed to be applicable for a wide range of hydropower operations and environmental conditions. The long term goal is that the tool set will be deployed by hydropower operators to assist in market, schedule, dispatch, and operational decisions. The team is being guided by a Technical Review Committee of representatives from key hydropower stakeholders. The tool set performance is currently being assessed and evaluated against baseline operational performance characteristics at U.S. sites. Modifications and refinements will be made as necessary to help assure that the tool set provides practical and useful means to help manage risks associated with hydrological uncertainty and adverse environmental impacts, to reduce costs, increase unit availability and plant capacity factors and to enhance the economic value of hydropower resources. A key goal is to develop tools end-users can, and will, use. This presentation will provide an overview and status of the project.