Decision Support Systems Maximizing Operational Efficiency of Dams Maintaining Regulatory Compliance

Mark D. Morehead, PhD Outline

• Who is Power • Hydropower System • Mid‐Snake & Bliss Dam – Bliss DSS • Hells Canyon Complex – HCC DSS Bliss Rapids Snail An Investor Owned, Regulated Electric Utility

• Service Area • Fully Integrated Utility – Southern Idaho – Generate Power – Eastern Oregon – Interstate Transmission – 24,000 sq. mi – Distribute to Customers • Population • Regulated by – 1 Million – FERC • Total Sales • USFS • IDEQ – 15,500,000 MW / year • ODEQ • Employees • NOAA … – 2,000 – Idaho PUC – OPUCOregon PUC Idaho Power Resources & Service Territory

300 MW 2010 Fuel Mix

Biomass Wind 0.5% Waste 31%3.1% 05%0.5% Natural Gas Other 2.6% 0.7%

Hydroelectric Coal 48.8% 43.9% Problem ?

• Maximize Operational Efficiency – MhPMatch Power LdLoad – Account for variable wind generation • Protect the Environment ‐ Maintain Reggypulatory Compliance – Reservoir • Min/Max Levels • Ramp Rates – River • Minimum instream flows • Ramp Rates – Water Quality Criteria • Temperature • NtiNutrient s • Dissolved Gas Previous Methodology is Unsuitable Wave Propagation Time

Bliss Model - Travel Time - Hysteresis 10000

8000 Q (cfs)Q (cfs) 6000

40 45 50 55 60

(ft) (ft) Travel Time (min)

2580 Elevation Elevation 2578

ugeuge Water Water 2576

40 45 50 55 60 Travel Time (min) BlissBliss Ga Ga Channel Morphology Controls Flood Wave Propagation Shallow Water Wave Speed ~ √gh Bliss Dam

Built 1950 Height 70’ VlVolume 8 KAF Capacity 75 MW Qmax 15,000 cfs What Is a DSS

• An information system that supports decision‐making

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

• Integrates complex information into a user friendly form

• AlA tool – A decision system DOES NOT make the decisions – The users make the decisions Evolution of Decision Making

Evolution Cost of Consequences • Poorly informed decisions Low • Well informed decisions • Decision Support Systems High • Automated Systems – Dependent on pre‐defined rules Process To Create the DSS

• Learn what the operators • Build a database – Want – Dam Operations – Will use – Compliance Gages – Test & Iterate • Reservoir • Build a hydraulic model • River – DHI – Mike11 • Create the DSS – User interface – Model optimization – Discharge limits

Water-Surface Elevation – User scenario execution

Discharge

Mike 11 1D hydraulic model Learn From the Operators

• Most Important Part of Building a DSS

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

• “Every good conversation begins with good listening” Create a Numerical Model Bliss Dam & Compliance Gauge

Flow Bliss Operational Requirements

• Reservoir – Min imum Elevat ion – Maximum Elevation

• River – Minimum Instream Flow – HlRRHourly Ramp Rates – Daily Ramp Rates

• Compliance Type – Run‐of‐River – Load‐Following Build a Data Base

• Pull data from a secure SCADA system – DODam Operati ons – Compliance Gauges • Screen the real‐time data – Data spikes – Missing Data • ClCalcul ltate nee ddded va lues – Sum dam discharge data • Turbines • Spill Gates • Need a GOOD data base programmer DSS

User Interface Operator Input Error “Geek to Human Interface” Checking

Information Management System Database Hydraulic Data Import Model Data Checking Optimizer Calculations Scenarios Bliss DSS

Plant Discharge (CFS) Compliance Stage (ft)

Calculated Q Limits Operator Specified Plan Bliss DSS

Plant Discharge (CFS) Compliance Stage (ft)

Calculated Q Limits Operator Specified Plan Next Step Hells Canyon Complex

300 MW Upstream in the HCC

Built 1959 Height 420’ Volume 1,420 KAF Capacity 585 MW Qmax 35,000 cfs Middle in the HCC

Built 1961 Height 175’ Volume 58 KAF Capacity 190 MW Qmax 28,000 cfs Downstream in the HCC Built 1967 Height 330’ Volume 186 KAF Capacity 390 MW Qmax 30,000 cfs Hells Canyon Complex ‐ DSS

Brownlee • IflInflow • Pool Elevation – Power Generation – Flood Control – Recreation – Fisheries Oxbow • Ramp Rates • Pool Elevation – Bank Stability – Power Generation Hells Canyon • Pool Elevation – Power Generation • River Q – Qmin – Ramp Rates – Fisheries – Recreation •  Compliance Point HCC Operations Brownlee Reservoir - Annual Operations

2080

2060 )) ftftftft

2040 Elevation Elevation ( ( rrrr 2020

ReservoiReservoi Max = 2077' Min = 2007' Flood = 1976' 2000 Plan 1997 1998 1999 2010 2011 1980 2012

Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Month Generated: 09-Feb-2012 HCC Operations HCC Flows & ReRegulation 40 Brownlee Inflow Brownlee Outflow 35 Hells Cyn Outflow

30

25

20 (K(K cfs) cfs) Q Q 15

10

5

0 16-Jan-11 23-Jan-11 Date Hells Canyon Complex – DSS Tasks

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