Advancing Inflow Forecasting for U.S. Hydropower Operations and Valuation
Abstract
More accurate inflow forecasting tools are vital to hydropower operations and decision-making, as well as optimal strategies to achieve multiple system objectives and energy services of highest economic and electric grid reliability value. Decisions concerning ecosystem management, water supply, flood protection, dam safety, system operation, optimization of power generation, and energy grid services are all highly influenced by the accuracy and reliability of forecasting tools. Recent advances in hydro-meteorological forecasting, data assimilation and automation, and decision-making under uncertainty point to many state-of-the-art tools with wide ranging application for the U.S Hydropower industry and other water system managers. Emerging uncertainties in the electricity sector associated with fast evolving energy markets, fuel price volatility, energy grid developments, and rapid changes in demand and generation recently reinforce the need to coordinate with this impactful research space. The Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) funds cutting edge R&D to accelerate development of innovative Hydropower technologies. Optimizing hydropower operations and planning to best utilize hydropower's capabilities to provide grid services as well as other services are foundational elements of the WPTO's R&D portfolio. Starting with an overview of the current status of inflow forecasting, we highlight recent R&D investments by the DOE, and the WPTO's plan forward efforts to contribute to better forecasting science and develop state-of-the-art tools for the industry.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMPA51C..17G
- Keywords:
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- 1840 Hydrometeorology;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1880 Water management;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 6309 Decision making under uncertainty;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES;
- 6344 System operation and management;
- POLICY SCIENCES & PUBLIC ISSUES