Model based hydropower gate operation for mitigation of CSO impacts by means of river base flow increase

• Published in: Water Science & Technology Vol. 52; no. 5; pp. 87 - 94
• Main Authors: ACHLEITNER, S, DE TOFFOL, S, ENGELHARD, C, RAUCH, W
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Pergamon 01.01.2005; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Barrages; Base flow; Buildings. Public works; Combined sewer overflows; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; Conservation of Natural Resources; Control systems; Creeks & streams; Dilution; Disasters; Ecological monitoring; Economic feasibility; Exact sciences and technology; Feasibility studies; Flood management; Flood protection; Forecasting; Freshwater; Hydraulic constructions; Hydroelectric power; Mathematical models; Mitigation; Modelling; Models, Theoretical; Pollutants; Power Plants; Predictive control; Receiving waters; River flow control. Flood control; Rivers; Sewerage. Sewer construction; Spilling; Storage; Storms; Stream pollution; Structural analysis. Stresses; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Wastewater; Water Movements; Water pollution; Weather forecasting; Combined sewer; Sewerage; RTCP protocol; International conference; Impact study; Rivers; Modeling; Case study; Base flow; Regulation(control); Water quality; Numerical simulation; Stream
• ISBN: 9781843394976; 1843394979
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.2005.0115

In river stretches being subjected to flow regulation, usually for the purpose of energy production (e.g. Hydropower) or flood protection (river barrage), a special measure can be taken against the effect of combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The basic idea is the temporal increase of the river base flow (during storm weather) as an in-stream measure for mitigation of CSO spilling. The focus is the mitigation of the negative effect of acute pollution of substances. The measure developed can be seen as an application of the classic real time control (RTC) concept onto the river system. Upstream gate operation is to be based on real time monitoring and forecasting of precipitation. The main objective is the development of a model based predictive control system for the gate operation, by modelling of the overall wastewater system (incl. the receiving water). The main emphasis is put on the operational strategy and the appropriate short-term forecast of spilling events. The potential of the measure is tested for the application of the operational strategy and its ecological and economic feasibility. The implementation of such an in-stream measure into the hydropower's operational scheme is unique. Advantages are (a) the additional in-stream dilution of acute pollutants entering the receiving water and (b) the resulting minimization of the required CSO storage volume.