Derivation of Aggregation-Based Joint Operating Rule Curves for Cascade Hydropower Reservoirs

Operating rule curves have been widely applied to reservoir operation, due to their ease of implementation. However, these curves are generally used for single reservoirs and have rarely been applied to cascade reservoirs. This study was conducted to derive joint operating rule curves for cascade hydropower reservoirs. Steps in the proposed methodology include: (1) determining the optimal release schedule using dynamic programming to solve a deterministic long-term operation model, (2) identifying the forms of operating rule curves suitable for cascade hydropower reservoirs based on the optimal release schedule, (3) constructing a simulation-based optimization model and then using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) to identify the key points of the operating rule curves, (4) testing and verifying the efficiency of the generated joint operating rule curves using synthetic inflow series. China’s Qing River cascade hydropower reservoirs (the Shuibuya, Geheyan and Gaobazhou reservoirs) were selected for a case study. When compared with the conventional operating rule curves, the annual power generation can be increased by 2.62% (from 7.27 to 7.46 billion kWh) using the observed inflow from 1951 to 2005, as well as by about 1.77% and 2.52% using the synthetic inflows generated from two alternative hydrologic simulation methods. Linear operating rules were also implemented to simulate coordinated operation of the Qing River cascade hydropower reservoirs. The joint operating rule curves were more efficient and reliable than conventional operating rule curves and linear operating rules, indicating that the proposed method can greatly improve hydropower generation and work stability.