An algorithm for economical operation of hydropower plants

An introduction was given to an approach to realization of economical operation of hydropower plants,which was based on the penalty function,dynamically amended power-flow relationship and the optimal algorithm.According to the result of short-term optimal regulation,the plan for unit start-up and shut-down could be formulated and the economical dispatching of loads could be realized by the approach with some constraints such as the efficiency difference between different units,the cost of unit start-up and shut-down,the region of cavitation and load vibration,the usability of units,and main wiring mode,taken into account.Case study shows that the approach can be used to solve the multi-constraint problems for economical operation of hydropower plants and can be well combined with the short-term optimal regulation in power market.Moreover,the approach is easily to be programmed and fast in calculation.