Multi-objective intelligent start-up strategy for small hydropower plants based on adaptive variable parameters of water head

Abstract

Small hydropower plants are often used as a clean energy source in low-head, small-flow rivers, but their operation is significantly restricted by production arrangements. This study investigates the start-up characteristics of small hydropower plants. A mathematical model for the start-up of small hydropower plants is established, and a multi-objective comprehensive index, which considers the influence of the start-up strategy and the hydraulic turbine runner, is derived and verified using a numerical simulation of a practical project. A new intelligent start-up control strategy is then proposed based on adaptive varying water heads. The start-up process for a small hydropower plant is simulated using particle swarm optimization. The results show that the multi-objective index proposed in this paper agrees well with the numerical results. Moreover, compared to the ITAE index, the start-up under the multi-objective comprehensive index is faster and more stable for different water heads and reduces the negative effects of the start-up strategy on the runner. The methods and results presented in this paper form a fundamental theoretical basis for selecting start-up strategies for small hydropower plants in practical projects.