Powel's HYDROPS™ is an optimization decision support software package that assists operators in making real-time operations decisions or planning studies for complex hydroelectric systems. HYDROPS has proven itself to be an effective tool in the relicensing process as well as delivering efficient operations and higher profits. Powel HYDROPS is comprised of five models and two modules. The models are DataVU, Long-term Storage Management, Short-term Generation Scheduling, Real-time Unit Dispatch and Study Model. The modules are Flood Control Optimization and Engineering. These models and modules can work together as an integrated package or stand-alone.

Currently development is underway to merge HYDROPS automatic hydro generation dispatch capabilities with wind generation.

Powel HYDROPS Models

• Powel HYDROPS DataVU Management for Hydrologic Forecast
  Powel’s DataVU Model provides a powerful and flexible tool for data acquisition, data quality control and data analysis. DataVU also provides interfaces to various hydrologic forecasting models.
• Powel HYDROPS Long-Term Storage Management (LTSM)
  Powel’s Long-term Storage Management model is a stochastic optimization model for managing storage reservoirs to maximize system generation or revenue objectives within operating constraints. The LTSM improves long-term reservoir operations considering conflicting goals such as flood control, recreation, instream flow requirement and generation.
• Powel HYDROPS Short-Term Generation Scheduling (STGS)
  Powel HYDROPS Short-term Generation Scheduling (STGS) model is an advanced optimization model for improving short-term hourly generation scheduling in both regulated and open energy markets. With the selectable objective of maximizing revenue or minimizing energy cost, the STGS applies advanced linear programming and integer programming techniques to optimize system performance within conflicting operating constraints. Designed for ease of use and fast execution, Powel HYDROPS STGS delivers efficient operations and higher profits.
• Powel HYDROPS Real-Time Unit Dispatch (RTUD)
  Powel’s Real-time Unit Dispatching (RTUD) model automatically provides optimal turbine unit loading for each plant in real-time. The unit dispatching optimization is based on real-time data fed from a SCADA system including head pond and tail levels, turbine performance data and availability. Currently development is underway to merge HYDROPS automatic hydro generation dispatch capabilities with wind generation.
• Powel HYDROPS Study Model (SM)
  Powel’s Planning Study Model provides an optimization tool for relicensing, due diligence, and facility upgrade planning studies. This model includes a stochastic long-term optimization with weekly time steps and multi-year time horizon, and a deterministic short-term optimization with hourly time steps.

Powel HYDROPS Modules

• Powel HYDROPS Flood Control Optimization Module (FCO)
  Powel’s Flood Control Optimization (FCO) module provides solutions for managing flood events considering multiple operational objectives. The FCO module combines updated hydrologic forecasts with unique facility characteristics (reservoir, dam, spillway, and power plant) to minimize flooding damage both downstream and upstream.
• Powel HYDROPS Engineering Module (EM)
  Powel’s Engineering Module (EM) provides a graphical interface for managing engineering data that is required by other HYDROPS models. The EM allows the user to view, modify, and add engineering data for hydro facilities (reservoirs, dams, spillways, power plants and/or turbines) modeled in HYDROPS.

Powel Services

• Powel HYDROPS Pilot Project
  All major IT investments represent uncertainty, especially investments in systems supporting your business critical processes such as the generation planning for power producers. While studies show optimizing hydropower generation provides for significant efficiency improvements and a very high ROI for such systems, the uncertainty of interfering with business critical processes can make generators reluctant to commit to major IT investments in this area, preventing them from actualizing the benefits current technology provides.
• Powel HYDROPS Relicensing Services
  Powel works closely with utilities and stakeholders to perform accurate and realistic analysis during relicensing, due diligence, and facility upgrade planning studies. We apply customized versions of the HYDROPS planning study optimization model to analyze different scenarios — evaluating and comparing alternatives — while taking hydropower operational constraints and license limitations into account. Powel consulting services have helped large hydro operations achieve a common understanding among stakeholders and, as a result facilitated a successful relicensing.