Computer-Aided Optimization in Operation Planning of Hydropower Plants – Algorithms and Examples

Due to complex relations present in hydropower markets, and having in mind the specific role of hydropower in common electricity generation and transmission grid systems, it is impossible to identify a unified approach to hydropower plant management. The ever-changing market behavior also presents a problem for unification of methodologies and all this imposes the interpretation of hydropower plant management as a dynamic set of rules that are adaptable to system complexity and market needs. Based on simulation models of water flow and hydropower generation, along with optimization techniques employing genetic algorithms controlled by fuzzy-logic, an approach is proposed for determination of rules for operation planning of hydropower plants. This paper presents the approach to hydropower potential estimation and operational management applied to simulation of the hydropower plants “Iron Gates 1” and “Iron Gates 2”, located on River Danube and shared by Serbia and Romania, using computer-aided optimization. The objective of the computer-aided optimization management system is to ensure efficient utilization of the Danube’s hydropower potential, to address the demand of Serbian and Romanian electricity generation and transmission systems (that differ in terms of power and time) and to comply with a number of constraints, which are defined in bilateral agreements. In this paper it has been proven possible, unlike to the case of the old uncoupled model, to simulate the operation of the integrated system of cascaded power plants, with concurrent simulation of both hydraulic and electrical processes. The system is expected to provide daily management support and is a mean by which the outcomes of operational planning within different hydrologic, economic, legal and other frameworks can be assessed, and to attain conditions for optimum water resource management and the resolution of existing and potential conflicts in the region, with regard to any conflict of stakeholder interests.