Managing Hidroeléctrica Española's Hydroelectric Power System

Ron S. Dembo, Angel Chiarri, Jesus Gomez Martin and Luis Paradinas
Additional contact information
Ron S. Dembo: Algorithmics Inc., University of Toronto, 398 Markham Street, Toronto, Ontario M6G-2K9, Canada
Angel Chiarri: Departamento de Operacion del Sistema, Hidroeléctrica Española S.A., Hermosilla 3, Madrid 25001, Spain
Jesus Gomez Martin: Departamento de Operacion del Sistema, Hidroeléctrica Española S.A., Hermosilla 3, Madrid 25001, Spain
Luis Paradinas: Departamento de Operacion del Sistema, Hidroeléctrica Española S.A., Hermosilla 3, Madrid 25001, Spain

Interfaces, 1990, vol. 20, issue 1, 115-135

Abstract: Beginning in 1984, Algorithmics Inc. together with Hidroeléctrica Española, developed and implemented a hierarchy of models, to assist Hidroeléctrica Española in managing its system of reservoirs used for generating hydroelectric power. These models incorporate major technological advances in modeling and solution methods. Moreover, for the first time, the technology upon which they are based is transferable to other hydroelectric utilities. We developed new generic algorithms for large-scale nonlinear programming and for specializations to network flow optimization to permit extremely rapid solution and thorough optimal analysis. The models have profoundly affected long-term planning and the operation of Hidroeléctrica's reservoirs. Apart from the intangible benefits of completely transforming the level of modeling expertise in the company, increasing operational security, and providing better and more consistent management of the reservoir system, the direct savings as a result of their use amounts to approximately two million dollars annually.

Keywords: industries: electric/electronic; programming: integer; nonlinear; networds/graphs: flow algorithms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1990
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/inte.20.1.115 (application/pdf)

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:inm:orinte:v:20:y:1990:i:1:p:115-135

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Interfaces from INFORMS Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Asher ().