State-of-the-art plant control systems link turbines and dispatch centers

Despite operation of large-scale hydropower schemes by computerized plant management systems, fast and effective secondary regulation on regional or national levels is limited by insufficient operational information on the participating power plants and the weak optimizing effect of dispatch centers. Optimal dispatching as a constant decision-making process requires more precise operational data than is possible with conventional hard-wired control systems. State-of- the-art plant control systems can handle practically unlimited operational complexities but need extensive engineering and a functional rather than technological approach. Computer simulations considering hydrological and economic aspects lead to energy management concepts demonstrating the overall profitability of resultant operational procedures. Benefits such as fast response under economic constraints are complemented by an overall efficiency improvement based on continuous measurement, filing and exploitation of detailed process information in the automation system.