Inflow forecasting for short-term hydro scheduling

Inflow forecasts are one of the key inputs in the short term scheduling of hydroelectric generation, and therefore an inflow forecast module is essential to an operational decision support system for hydro scheduling. The basis of the operational flow forecasting module of the New England Power DSS implemented by Acres International Ltd. for the Upper Connecticut River is presented. Short-term operational forecasting involves a number of tasks, including acquisition and processing of real time data, acquisition of meteorological forecasts, review and monitoring of hydrometeorological data, updating of the models state variables, the flow forecast process and review and adjustment of the various subwatershed flow forecasts.