Optimal Management of Variable Speed Pumped-Storage Hydro-Electric Plant: Cases Study

Optimal management becomes crucial for the integration of pumped-storage to distribution systems. In this paper, a Dynamic Programming (DP)-based approach is provided to optimally manage the operation of pumped- storage hydro-electric system. The DP adaptation to the hourly optimization problem is described, considering the constraints of water flow rate limitations , water consumption, minimal and maximal water levels, desired water level, electricity tariff, time period, etc. Two cases are discussed: Pumped-storage hydro-electric system and Hybrid pumped- storage wind-hydro-electric system. DP-based optimization helps make a sequence of decisions to achieve the maximum overall gained profits each day, meanwhile, the system could ensure the water supply for local residents. Comparative results for different operation regimes of both the fixed speed and variable speed are provided in the end.