Modeling and Simulation of Hydroelectric Projects with Reservoirs

This paper presents the modelling and simulation of a hydropower station with reservoirs. An expert system based on rules has been developed that allows the simulation of the daily operation of a real hydropower system at Costa Rica, at different seasons and in different scenarios. The model includes security criteria of the dam, evaporation, maximum and minimum levels of the reservoir, environmental compensation flow and the turbinable flow. The model has been validated with real data from a pre-factibilty electrical project. The simulation final result defines the power and energy for the period under study and the average annual energy production. These results allow to calculate the potential economic profits and to evaluate the operation of the hydroelectric power station as well as to optimize the resources. Even more, for its versatility and practical orientation, the simulation tool allows to quickly and easily evaluate different schemes by changing only some of the basic input parameters. It can also be used as a planning and decision-making tool in different electricity markets, modifying some variables and rules accordingly.