Influence of Guiding Curves in the Optimal Management of a Hydropower System

Optimal operating policies for hydropower generation in a system of dams were obtained by means of a modified algorithm of stochastic dynamic programming that incorporates the guiding curve concept and other operating requirements defined by the Mexican agency in charge of electricity generation. These operating policies were used to simulate the long term system behavior and to analyze the influence of the guiding curves in the energy generation, the volume spilled and the possible deficit. The results show that by trying different curves it is possible to obtain a range of results that will enable decision makers to choose those that best fit their needs. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013