Systems helps optimal planning for multiple use of rivers used for hydroelectric generation

On a river like the Tietê, which cuts the state of São Paulo from east to west, the management of multiple uses for water takes on great importance. This motivated researchers from AES and USP to carry out a study to elaborate a Decision Support System (DSS) for company management and planning. Demographic data and the diverse river use demands such as urban supply, industrial supply, mining, recreation, irrigation and locks, as well as hydrologic information, were raised to feed the model. The developed tool has important application because along the Tietê there are six large hydroelectric plants in a cascade arrangement: Barra Bonita (140.16 MW), Bariri (136.80 MW), Ibitinga (131.49 MW), Promissão (264.00 MW), Nova Avanhandava (347.40 MW) and Três Irmãos (807.50 MW). The use of water for generating electricity conflicts with other uses, such as waterway transportation, urban and industrial supply, irrigation, tourism and recreation, fishing and maintenance of ecological flow. The proposed model has a user-friendly interface that facilitates access to the database of results (temporal series with 12 variables, in three different scenarios for each of the five hydroelectric plants). In an experimental phase at the company, DSS has assisted in reservoir management and in guiding investments in research. The system identifies specific periods with sufficient flow conditions for increasing hydroelectric generation. In the simulations conducted for the dry season, it was ascertained that in all scenarios, lock operations compete with energy generation, but the other uses are fully met. The researchers concluded that DSS is a powerful tool in managing energy cascade arrangements and the method presented may be reproduced in other cases.

Technical Information Sheet