Optimization of Value of CVP's Hydropower Production

Abstract

CVPOP is a nonlinear programming model for the optimization of the multi‐month operation of the hydropower system of the California Central Valley Project (CVP). CVPOP includes the dependence of energy values within each month on the capacity factor of the generating unit, avoiding the simplification of assuming constant monthly or yearly values as is common in other models. The model also includes contractual energy and capacity constraints which are nonlinear because of the powerplants' variable head performance curves (capability in MW and energy production rate in kWh per unit release versus reservoir storage). An example illustrates the difference between the values of the energy generated with operations schedules obtained using different objective functions.