Work

Optimal operation of hydropower systems with environmental constraints on reservoir management

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Hydropower systems' unique capability to provide flexibility and long-term energy storage makes the low-carbon technology a key contributor to cost-effective and reliable decarbonisation of power systems. To ensure sustainable operation, environmental regulations are normally imposed on the plants. Some of these regulations can be difficult to model in existing scheduling tools based on optimisation because of their non-convex and logical characteristics. This study assesses the operational impacts of two types of environmental reservoir constraints, as well as the economic impacts of considering these constraints in medium-term hydropower scheduling. The results show that optimal reservoir management may change considerably due to these types of constraints. Furthermore, improved planning results in a decent increase in expected profit to the power producer under certain price assumptions in several of the simulated cases.

Source: Renewable Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125258

Authors: Linn Emelie Schäffer, Tor Haakon Bakken, Arild Helseth, Magnus Korpås

Institutions: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, SINTEF Energy Research

Language: English

Topic: Electric Power System Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,460