An Optimization Method for Day-Ahead Generation Interval of Cascade Hydropower Adapting to Multi-Source Coordinated Scheduling Requirements

Multi-source coordinated scheduling has become the predominant operational paradigm in power systems. However, substantial differences among hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and photovoltaic sources in terms of response speed, regulation capability, and operational constraints—particularly the complex generation characteristics and spatiotemporal hydraulic coupling of large-scale cascade hydropower stations—significantly increase the complexity of coordinated scheduling. Therefore, this study proposes an optimization method for determining the day-ahead generation intervals of cascade hydropower, applicable to multi-source coordinated scheduling scenarios. The method fully accounts for the operational characteristics of hydropower and the requirements of coordinated scheduling. By incorporating stochastic operational processes, such as reservoir levels and power outputs, feas