Daily optimal operation model of cascade reservoirs considering delay of flow propagation

Delay of water flow propagation in river channel causes difficulty in the study of short-term optimal operation scheme of cascade reservoirs as it gives rise to an unbalance in water quantity during schedule period.To handle that difficulty,this paper develops a model for optimization of the comprehensive benefits in both schedule period and delay period(i.e.,out of schedule period).This model doesn't possess Markov property,and a combinational progressive optimality algorithm(POA) with consecutive iterations on reservoirs can be used to solve it.A case study of the Three Gorge cascade reservoirs is used for its validation.The results show that it is a simple and reasonable model applicable to design of short-term optimal operation of cascade reservoirs influenced by water flow delay.