Abstract: In solving models for optimal power generation of reservoir operation in a plan of regulating power generation by water supply, traditional dynamic programming are easy to fall into a dimension disaster; while modern intelligent algorithms using random search are inefficient and easy to fall into a local optimum. To overcome these shortages, this paper develops a floater algorithm, a fast solution method for reservoir dispatching model, based on the characteristic that the water consumption rate of power generation is relatively low at a high operating reservoir stage. This method directly finds the optimal solution by keeping the reservoir stage as high as possible during operation, while satisfying the requirements of guaranteed output and minimum generation discharge. A case study and comparison with the results of discrete differential dynamic programming (DDDP) shows this algorithm has the advantages of achieving high power generation and fast computation (two times as fast as DDDP) for general situations. Thus, our floater algorithm improves the optimization results and solving efficiency for reservoir operation, helping formulate a regulating-power-generation-by-water-supply operation plan and rapid decision-making.

Key words: optimal power generation operation, model solution, high water level, floater algorithm, regulating power generation by water supply