The modular interactive river system simulator — A tool for multi purpose planning and operation of hydropower systems

A computer system called the Modular Interactive River System Simulator is now under development in Norway. The simulator is aimed for two main purposes: 1) Multi purpose water resources planning and 2) Optimal operation of hydro systems. A plan for the program system was prepared in 1989. Detailed specification started in April 1990 and the whole project is planned to be finished by 1993. The simulator is planned to include more than 15 different water related models within a common user interface and with one common database to facilitate the data communication between different models and simplify data storage and data ingegrity. The models included in the simulator can be grouped into four main classes: 1) input from the watershed to the river system, 2) Processes within rivers and lakes, 3) Hydropower simulator models, and 4) Consequences for humans and ecosystems. The user interface will be based on modern principles, with emphasis on graphics and on-line help for the user.