Operating Plan
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Talsim-NG includes a reservoir operation model, i.e.it offers the possibility to simulate storage regulation and distribution through defined operating rules. Existing or proposed operating rules need to be converted into a Talsim-NG compatible form.
The model equivalent to conducting measurements within the river basin is the retrieval of so-called system states of the system elements. Further, these system states are processed and connected to mathematical and logical operators (also consecutively) into control clusters. The variety of options and possible connections allows for the representation of almost any desired operating rule. The system state / the control cluster representing the operating rule is linked to the system element to which the rule should be applied to. In the case of a reservoir, physical boundaries for releases as well as internal dependencies can be implemented. This results in the control logic of the river basin model.
System State
To determine how to represent a system state / system states, one should consider the following questions reagarding the operation rules:
| Subject | Questions about real-world operating rule | Questions about Talsim-NG river basin model | Implementation in Talsim-NG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measured variable | Which measured variables are the operating rules based on? Which variables are measured? | Which is the equivalent simulated variable, or which simulated variable could be used for reference / derivation? All simulated variables i.e. the system element's input, output, and state variables are generally accessible (e.g. discharge, reservoir volume, ...). | Choose a system element and a simulated variable. → Implement a system state. |
| Spatial reference | Which location is the measurement made at? | Which specific system element (key) represents the measurement (with which simulated variable for the system state)? | |
| Temporal reference | What is the temporal reference of the measurement? Is the instantaneous value used, a balance, or a previous day's value? | Which of the available options in Talsim-NG represents the temporal reference best? | Define the objective of the system state and adjust the options for value changes respectively. |
| Transformation | Is the measured value changed subsequently before its inclusion in the operating rule (e.g. unit conversion, weighting function, ...)? | Which function in Talsim-NG represents the transformation? | Select and implement the transformation function of the system state. |
After answering the questions, a system state can be created. Subsequently, state attributes describing the system state can be specified. The following options are available:
Sytem State Attributes
Talsim-NG offers the following types of system state attributes:
| A | Current value | Value is the current value without any modifications |
| F | Function | Value is transformed by applying a function |
| B | Balance (with target) | Value is used as a discrepancy from the target value in % |
| C | Balance (without target) | Value is calculated as a balance from several timesteps |
| Z | Objective function | Value is the result of an objective function |
| P | Control gauge | Currently disabled |
| S | Sum | Value is not a single value but is calculated as the sum of the system state |
Current Value
The option current value uses the simulated value of the current timestep without any modifications:
result = current value of the system state
Function
The option function also uses the current timestep as time reference, but it includes the possibility to transform the value by applying a function. As the values from this option and all the following options (current value is the only exception) can be transformed, the general transformation process will only be explained in the next section.
Balance
A balance can be defined as
- an average over the last n time steps (max. 1200)
- a fixed timeframe (start date to end date)
- a constant timeframe (moving average)
- the i-th time step
In the case of Balance (without target), the balance itself is the initial value for the subsequent transformation.
In the case of Balance (with target) the discrepancy from the target value is used as the initial value for the transformation and is calculated as follows:
Discrepancy = ((BALANCE- target value) / target value) * 100
The target value is defined as a constant possibly scaled with an annual pattern.
Sum
Value Modification
Transformation Function
The system states can be transformed additionally by applying a function (exception: current value). In the following all transformation options are listed:
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Capacity curve |
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Constant annual pattern |
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Variable annual pattern |
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Pool-based operating plan |
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Time-dependent function |
Capacity Curve
The simplest option and the default for any system state that is not treated as current value is the capacity curve. The option takes previously entered supporting points to create a function, which is then used for the transformation of values. The function's entry value is corresponding to the system state's type (e.g. current value (entry value) with function (type), balance (entry value) with balance without target (type), or discrepancy (entry value) with balance with target (type)). The function can be either interpreted as a step function or interpolation between the supporting points is performed.
If the user chooses not to perform a transformation, the capacity curve can be defined as a 1:1 function. It is important that the entire value range is included because otherwise y-values smaller than the first supporting point by default use the y-value of the first supporting point and y-values bigger than the y-value of the last supporting point by default use the y-value of the last supporting point. In addition, the option to interpolate between the supporting points must be activated.
| x-value | y-value |
|---|---|
| -10000 | -10000 |
| 10000 | 10000 |
If the user chooses to define constants for the implementation of the operating rules, it is also possible with the option capacity curve:
| x-value | y-value |
|---|---|
| 0 | 20 |
| 1 | 20 |
Annual Pattern
With the option annual pattern, a function with one supporting point is defined for each chosen time period within one year. With a constant annual pattern, the division of the year into time periods is undertaken by month, resulting in a total of 12 supporting points. With a variable annual pattern, the division of the year into time periods is undertaken at the desired dates.
For each (temporal) supporting point values for x and y are entered. If the system state value before the transformation is smaller than the x-value, it is set to zero. If it is equal or bigger than the x-value, it is transformed to the y-value. Every current date / timestamp decides which respective supporting point is used for the transformation.
Default is that the supporting points are kept constant within each respective time frame. Yet, it is also possible to interpolate over time(???)
Pool-based Operating Plan
With the option Pool-based operating plan the reservoir storage during a year is subdivided in different zones (pools) each pool is associated with a fixed release level. Hence any amount of increasing release levels is defined and for each defined time period the reservoir storage for each release level is given. However, the option Pool-based operating plan is not restricted to described usage. Generally, any chosen x-value (usually: reservoir storage) can be transformed time-dependent into a y-value (usually reservoir release) via a pool-based operatin plan. The y-values of the supporting points are increasing and identical for every timestep.
By default, the supporting points given by the user are interpreted as step values(?). However, it is possible to interpolate in time and / or between the supporting points of x-/y-values.
Comparison of a pool-based operating plan in the two- and three-dimensional representation,
Interpretation: constant block (steps)
Comparison of a pool-based operating plan in the two- and three-dimensional representation,
Interpretation: linearly interpolated (both in time and between pools)
Time-dependent Function
The time-dependent function is quite similar to the pool-based operating plan, yet more flexible: Among the different time periods, the supporting points of the y-values only have to correspond regaring count, but do not have to be identical in value. Furthermore, they do not necessarily have to be increasing. Hence for each time period any function with any chosen x- and y-value can be definend.
By default, the supporting points given by the user are interpreted as step values(?). However, it is possible to interpolate in time and / or between the supporting points of x-/y-values.
Control Cluster
A control cluster is the linkage of system states and other control clusters with mathematical and logical operators. While a system state represents the condition of a system element, a control cluster can be a unified representation of several system states.
The following operators are available for linkage:
| +/- | Addition and Subtraction |
| ●/÷ | Multiplication and Division |
| <>≤≥ | Comparative Operators |
| mn, mx | Minimum, Maximum |
A control cluster can consist of up to five different system states and/or control clusters. As control clusters can continuously be linked further there is no effective limitation regarding number. Any possible combination is feasible. There are no limitations regarding e.g. combination of different values and units. To reach a sensible combination is the obligation of the user.
The system states/ control clusters from which a new control cluster is to be build can be scaled with a factor before linkage with an operator (see some window(?)).
The control cluster itself, corresponding to the system states, has the state attribute type and can be transformed further with a transformation function (see state attribute something).
Lastly the control cluster can be limited in its value range (see connections).
Control Logic
When a rule in a control cluster/ system state is assigned in a way that it represents the desired release from a reservoir or the division from a diversion, the control cluster/ system state is connected with the respective system element. Dependencies among various releases can be implemented either in the definition of a control cluster or using the option internal dependency from the reservoir element.