Performance evaluation and energy production optimization in the real-time operation of hydropower plants

•System developed for performance evaluation and optimization of a hydropower plant.•Detailed modeling of hydropower production function, using sensors data.•A comparative analysis of two methods for the determination of turbined outflow.•Real-time optimization of the dispatch, seeking to use the water efficiently.

This paper describes a system for the performance evaluation and energy optimization of the real-time operation at Itá Hydropower Plant, which is located in southern Brazil. Using data collected from sensors and meters, several variables of the units are precisely calculated, such as turbined outflows, heads, losses and efficiencies. The unit turbined outflow, which is the most challenging and important parameter for real-time operation, is calculated using an ultrasonic flow meter and a Hill diagram. Additionally, the system performs a real-time optimization in which the dispatch aims to use the water efficiently. In predominant hydropower systems, as in Brazil, this computational tool is very useful for the efficient use of hydro resources, for which every tenth of a percentage increase in the energy conversion efficiency is welcome. The benefits detailed in this paper can also be achieved in other plants, particularly if there are a large number of units with distinct operating characteristics.