Comparative analysis of multi-mode operation for cascade hydropower plants and assessment of carbon reduction benefits

Junhao Zhang, Yimin Wang, Aijun Guo, Jianxia Chang, Xuebin Wang, Xuejiao Meng, Chen Niu and Zhehao Li

Renewable Energy, 2026, vol. 256, issue PI

Abstract: Cascade development is a key approach for modern hydropower utilization. However, differences in ownership and scheduling authority lead to multiple operation modes in cascade hydropower plants, including cooperative scheduling (CSM), game-based scheduling (GSM), and independent scheduling (ISM). These modes influence both operational efficiency and the accommodation of wind and PV, thereby affecting the power system's carbon reduction potential. This study proposes a framework to evaluate carbon reduction benefits under different scheduling modes. A load generalization method is developed to capture daily variability and peak shaving, based on which a multi-energy complementary carbon reduction model (MECR-PS) is established. Using the LYX, LXW, and NN cascade hydropower plant as a case study, the results show: (1) CSM improves carbon reduction benefits by 3.5 % compared to ISM and GSM. (2) GSM benefits upstream plants, while ISM favors downstream plants. (3) Wind generation and hydropower discharge are positively correlated with carbon reduction. (4) Under high-flow conditions, GSM for the upstream, ISM for the midstream, and CSM for the downstream plants yield the highest individual power generation. Under other conditions, CSM consistently delivers the highest generation across all plants. These findings offer valuable insights for cascade hydropower operation and low-carbon power system development worldwide.

Keywords: Cascade hydropower plants; Low-carbon energy system; Peak shaving; Assessment framework; Operation mode (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148125023316
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pi:s0960148125023316

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124667

Access Statistics for this article

Renewable Energy is currently edited by Soteris A. Kalogirou and Paul Christodoulides

More articles in Renewable Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().