Decision Support Systems Maximizing Operational Efficiency of Dams Maintaining Regulatory Compliance

Mark D. Morehead, PhDMark D. Morehead, PhD

Outline

• Who is Idaho Power• Hydropower System• Mid‐Snake & Bliss Dam

– Bliss DSSBliss DSS

• Hells Canyon Complex– HCC DSS

Bliss Rapids Snail

Idaho PowerAn Investor Owned, Regulated Electric Utility

• Service Area • Fully Integrated Utility• Service Area – Southern Idaho – Eastern Oregon

• Fully Integrated Utility– Generate Power– Interstate Transmission

– 24,000 sq. mi

• Population1 Million

– Distribute to Customers

• Regulated byFERC– 1 Million

• Total Sales– 15,500,000 MW / year

– FERC• USFS• IDEQ• ODEQ

• Employees– 2,000

• ODEQ• NOAA …

– Idaho PUCO PUC– Oregon PUC

Idaho Power Resources & Service Territory

300 MW

2010 Fuel Mix

Wind3 1%

Biomass0.5%  Waste

0 5%Natural Gas

2.6% 

3.1%  0.5%Other0.7%

Coal43.9% 

Hydroelectric48.8% 

Problem ?Problem   ?• Maximize Operational Efficiency

M h P L d– Match Power Load– Account for variable wind generation

• Protect the Environment ‐ Maintain Regulatory Complianceg y p– Reservoir

• Min/Max Levels• Ramp RatesRamp Rates

– River• Minimum instream flows • Ramp Rates• Ramp Rates

– Water Quality Criteria• TemperatureN t i t• Nutrients

• Dissolved Gas

Previous Methodology is Unsuitable

Wave Propagation Time

10000

Bliss Model - Travel Time - Hysteresis

10000

Bliss Model - Travel Time - Hysteresis

8000

Q (c

fs)

8000

Q (c

fs)

40 45 50 55 60

6000

Travel Time (min)(ft) 40 45 50 55 60

6000

Travel Time (min)(ft)

Travel Time (min)

2580

Ele

vatio

n

Travel Time (min)

2580

Ele

vatio

n

2576

2578

uge

Wat

er

2576

2578

uge

Wat

er

40 45 50 55 60Travel Time (min)B

liss

Ga

40 45 50 55 60Travel Time (min)B

liss

Ga

Channel Morphology Controls Flood Wave Propagation Shallow Water Wave Speed ~ √gh

Bliss Dam

Built 1950Height 70’V l 8 KAFVolume 8 KAFCapacity 75 MWQmax 15,000 cfs

What Is a DSS

• An information system that supports decision‐making

• Aids the decision making process– During rapidly changing conditionsDuring rapidly changing conditions– When decisions are not easily specified in advance

• Integrates complex information into a user friendly form

A l• A tool– A decision system DOES NOT make the decisions– The users make the decisions

Evolution of Decision Making

Evolution• Poorly informed decisions• Well informed decisions

Cost of ConsequencesLow

• Well informed decisions• Decision Support Systems• Automated Systems

HighAutomated Systems– Dependent on pre‐defined rules

Process To Create the DSS

• Learn what the operators Want

• Build a databaseDam Operations– Want

– Will use– Test & Iterate

– Dam Operations– Compliance Gages

• ReservoirRi• Build a hydraulic model

– DHI – Mike11

• River

• Create the DSS– User interface– Model optimization– Discharge limits– User scenario execution– User scenario execution

DischargeDischarge

Water-Surface Elevation

Mike 111D hydraulic model

Learn From the Operators

•• Most Important Part of Building a DSSMost Important Part of Building a DSS

• Must make a Tool that the operators will use– Implement a complex modelImplement a complex model– Easy to use– QuickA– Accurate

– Easy to Read

• “Every good conversation begins with good listening”

Create a Numerical Model

Bliss Dam & Compliance Gauge

Flow

Bliss Operational Requirements

• ReservoirMi i El i– Minimum Elevation

– Maximum Elevation

• River– Minimum Instream FlowH l R R– Hourly Ramp Rates

– Daily Ramp Rates

• Compliance Type– Run‐of‐RiverLoad Following– Load‐Following

Build a Data Base

• Pull data from a secure SCADA systemD O i– Dam Operations

– Compliance Gauges

• Screen the real‐time data– Data spikes– Missing Data

C l l t d d l• Calculate needed values– Sum dam discharge data

• Turbines• Spill Gates

• Need a GOOD data base programmer

DSS

User InterfaceInterface

Operator Input

Error “Geek to Human Interface”

Information

Checking“Geek to Human Interface”

Information Management 

System

HydraulicDatabase Hydraulic ModelOptimizer

Scenarios

DatabaseData Import

Data Checking

CalculationsCalculations

Bliss DSS

Plant Discharge (CFS) Compliance Stage (ft)Plant Discharge (CFS) Compliance Stage (ft)

Calculated Q Limits Operator Specified Plan

Bliss DSS

Plant Discharge (CFS) Compliance Stage (ft)Plant Discharge (CFS) Compliance Stage (ft)

Calculated Q Limits Operator Specified Plan

Next Step Hells Canyon Complex

300 MW

Brownlee DamUpstream in the HCC

Built 1959Height 420’Volume 1,420 KAFCapacity 585 MWQmax 35 000 cfsQmax 35,000 cfs

Oxbow DamMiddle in the HCC

Built 1961Height 175’Volume 58 KAFVolume 58 KAFCapacity 190 MWQmax 28,000 cfs

Hells Canyon Dam Downstream in the HCC

Built 1967Height 330’Volume 186 KAFCapacity 390 MWQmax 30,000 cfs

Hells Canyon Complex ‐ DSS

BrownleeI fl• Inflow

• Pool Elevation– Power Generation– Flood Control– Flood Control– Recreation– Fisheries

• Ramp RatesOxbow• Pool Elevationp

– Bank Stability Hells Canyon• Pool Elevation

– Power GenerationRi Q

– Power Generation

• River Q– Qmin– Ramp Rates– Fisheries– Fisheries– Recreation

• Compliance Point

HCC Operations

2080

Brownlee Reservoir - Annual Operations

2080

Brownlee Reservoir - Annual Operations

2060

ft)

2060

ft)

2040

r Ele

vatio

n (ft

2040

r Ele

vatio

n (ft

2000

2020

Res

ervo

ir

Max = 2077'Min = 2007'Flood = 1976'2000

2020

Res

ervo

ir

Max = 2077'Min = 2007'Flood = 1976'

1980

2000 Flood 1976Plan1997199819992010201120121980

2000 Flood 1976Plan199719981999201020112012

Generated: 09-Feb-2012

Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct DecMonth

Generated: 09-Feb-2012

Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct DecMonth

HCC Operations

35

40HCC Flows & ReRegulation

Brownlee InflowBrownlee OutflowHells Cyn Outflow35

40HCC Flows & ReRegulation

Brownlee InflowBrownlee OutflowHells Cyn Outflow

30

35 Hells Cyn Outflow

30

35 Hells Cyn Outflow

20

25

(K c

fs)

20

25

(K c

fs)

10

15

Q

10

15

Q

5

10

5

10

16-Jan-11 23-Jan-110

Date

16-Jan-11 23-Jan-11

0

Date

Hells Canyon Complex – DSS Tasks

• Listen to Users• Determine user inputDetermine user input• Build a Rule System• Design a user interface• Build a Database• Build Hydraulic model(s)• Build the DSS• Build the DSS• Iterate

Questions?