Joint Optimal Use of Sluices of a Group of Cascade Hydropower Stations under High-Intensity Peak Shaving and Frequency Regulation

Abstract

With the large-scale development and grid connection of renewable energy, hydropower faces more intense and frequent peak shaving and frequency regulation, giving rise to water level fluctuations and frequently forced sluice adjustments at hydropower stations. This paper proposes a model that combines “offline calculation” and “online search”. First, feasible sluice opening combinations for different water levels at each hydropower station are calculated offline, and a sluice operation strategy table is constructed. Subsequently, an optimal sluice operation strategy is searched online according to the real-time water level and various regulatory requirements. As an example, we select three hydropower stations in the middle reach of the Dadu River in China, namely, Pubugou, Shenxigou, and Zhentouba. The results show that the total number of adjustments of the sluices of the cascade hydropower stations was reduced from 1195 to 675, a reduction of 43.5%, and the leading hydropower station, Pubugou, met water level control requirements, whereas the fluctuations in the water level of the two downstream daily regulating hydropower stations, Shenxigou and Zhentouba, were reduced by 1.38 m and 0.55 m, respectively. The results indicate that the sluices of hydropower stations were optimally used under high-intensity peak shaving and frequency regulation.