SMEC provides comprehensive consulting and project management services in the power generation and water resource optimisation sectors. The services include the development and implementation of management information systems and software tools for the optimal utilisation of power generation facilities and associated water resource systems.

With more and more emphasis being placed in the optimal management of existing and committed resources throughout the world, the optimised operation of hydro-thermal and water resource systems has taken precedence as a means of introducing cost savings within many governmental bodies and private organisations. Within the last ten years, SMEC has taken a leading role in providing software-based solutions for the optimal management of the operation of large power systems, water supply schemes and multi-purpose reservoir systems for numerous clients around the world.

Specialised power generation and water resource optimisation software packages developed and installed by SMEC are currently used by power and water utilities in nine countries around the world. Of particular relevance is SMEC’s role in the development of a software based generation management system for the optimal operation of the 3300 MW Ertan hydro power station (Asia’s largest) in conjunction with the 10 000 MW Sichuan power grid in China.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

• Hydrological modelling
• Water resource optimisation
• Power system operation optimisation

SMEC’s capability in power generation and water resource optimisation has been established and refined through years of research and development in direct association with the power supply and water resource industry. This has enabled us to focus on specific needs and objectives of power and water utilities around the world in the formulation and development of tailor-made software products.

The services provided range from optimal hydro/thermal coordination, economic analysis of power/irrigation trade-offs, optimisation of power system maintenance planning, optimisation of interconnected power pool operation and revenue maximisation of BOO/BOT schemes.

The services offered by SMEC are extensive and include:

Hydrological modelling

• rainfall/run off modelling
• stream discharge estimation
• flood hydrograph estimation
• stochastic generation of stream flow records
• frequency and regression analysis.

Water resource optimisation

• capacity expansion of water resource systems
• optimal long term operation of water resource systems
• development of reservoir rule curves
• development of multi-purpose reservoir operating policies
• real time operation of water supply networks
• optimal water distribution and allocation
• optimal operation of pumps.

Power system operation optimisation

• demand forecasting
• optimal hydro/thermal coordination for long, medium and short term time horizons
• operation optimisation of integrated multi-purpose reservoir systems
• derivation of equitable spill sharing methods in multi-reservoir operation
• water value estimation of storage reservoirs
• modelling of inter-regional power transfer constraints due to transmission limitations
• power system operation cost minimisation
• revenue maximisation of BOO/BOT schemes
• optimisation of maintenance management
• optimisation of interconnected power pool operation
• optimal unit commitment and economic dispatch
• power system operation reliability estimation and analysis
• economic analysis of power/irrigation trade-offs
• network validation of optimisation results
• derivation of despatch procedures in power sales contracts for BOO/BOT schemes.