Boosting hydropower generation of mixed reservoirs for reducing carbon emissions by using a simulation–optimization framework

Abstract

The optimization operation of reservoir seasonal Flood-Limited Water Levels (FLWLs) can counterbalance the hydropower generation and flood prevention in the flood season. This study proposes a multi-objective optimization operation model to optimize the reservoir seasonal FLWLs for enhancing synergies of hydropower generation and flood prevention. The integration of the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II and a simulation-optimization framework is applied for optimizing the joint operation of reservoirs meanwhile achieving the Pareto solutions to reduce computation complexity and time. And then, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution is utilized to identify the best seasonal FLWL scheme grounded on multi-criteria decision-making analysis. The mixed reservoirs located in the upstream Yangtze River of China constitute the case study. The results showed that: compared with the annual FLWL scheme, the proposed seasonal FLWL schemes without increasing flood prevention risk could facilitate the joint operation of the mixed reservoirs to achieve 868 million kW·h (5.1% improvement) in average hydroelectricity production during the flood season, meanwhile reducing 681 million kg in carbon emissions accordingly. The results support that the proposed methods can boost hydropower production to benefit China's national tactics in accomplishing peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030. HIGHLIGHTS This study aimed to optimize the joint operation of reservoirs to promote sustainable energy development.; This study also aimed to improve hydropower output and flood prevention meanwhile reducing CO2 emissions.; The NSGA-II and simulation–optimization structure were integrated to attain Pareto solutions.; Intelligent decision-making facilitates new energy and floodwater management.;

Keywords

• hydropower sustainability
• multi-objective optimization
• non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-ii
• reservoir operation
• yangtze river