Optimal Energy Storage Operation Chart and Output Distribution of Cascade Reservoirs Based on Operating Rules Derivation

Abstract

An energy storage operation chart (ESOC) is one of the most popular methods for conventional cascade reservoir operation. However, the problem of distributing the total output obtained from the ESOC has not yet been reasonably solved. The discriminant coefficient method is a traditional method for guiding the output distribution by determining the order of reservoir supply or storage; however, it cannot quantify the water used in operation. Thus, this study develops a new output distribution model using a polynomial fitting method and an artificial neural network to express the functional relationship derived from the deterministic optimization results of long-term runoff series to maximize power generation. Cascade reservoirs of the lower reaches of the Jinsha River in China were selected for the case study. Compared to the discriminant coefficient method, the proposed method can rationally distribute the total output, thus avoiding the problem of concentrated deserting water in downstream reservoirs that occurs in the discriminant coefficient method. In general, this study proposes an effective alternative method to guide cascade reservoir operation.