Abstract: A deterministic model of reservoir optimal operation is usually difficult to be directly applied to practical operation. To improve applicability, we develop a new joint optimal operation model for the Yalong River cascade reservoirs and use the Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) to extract operation rules, and then calibrate the rule and verify its fitting errors. The results show the annual power generation of the cascade is increased by 98.32 billion kW?h or an increase of 8.73% compared with its design value. The new operation processes optimized by the model for the Lianghekou, Jinping I and Ertan reservoirs follow certain common patterns. The determination coefficient of Gaussian RBFs is larger than 90%, and it can fit the operation rules effectively. This achieves a simulated power generation greater than the design value by 51.27 billion kW?h (+5.67%).

Key words: cascade reservoirs, optimal operation, operation functions, radial basis function, Yalong River