Thesis--Ph. D., University of Hong Kong, 1984.

The research assesses the value of forecast information in operating a hydro-electric project with a storage reservoir. The benefits are the increased hydro power production, when forecasts are available. The value of short term forecasts is determined by comparing results obtained with the use of one month ahead perfect predictions to those obtained without forecasts but a knowledge of the statistics of the possible flows. The benefits with perfect forecasts provide an upper limit to the benefits which could be obtained with actual less than perfect forecasts. The effects of generating capacity and flow patterns are also discussed. The operation of a hypothetical but typical project is modelled using stochastic dynamic programming. A simple model of streamflow is formulated based on the historical statistics ( means and deviations). The conclusions are: The inflow forecasts can improve the operational efficiency of the reservoir considerably because of the reduction in forecasting uncertainty. The maximum release constraints affect the additional expected values. The benefits from the forecasts increase as the discharge limits reduce. Flow predictions in the high flow season are most valuable when the runoff in that time period dominates the annual flow pattern. However flow predictions at other times of the year also have value. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

published_or_final_version / Electrical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

 As fossil energy is depleting and global warming effect is worsening rapidly, developing renewable energies becomes the top priority in most countries. In recent years, wave energy has attracted more and more attention due to its high energy density and enormous global capacity. The goal of this study is to carry out a numerical study of the hydrodynamic performance of a point-absorbing wave energy converter. In this study, an accurate and efficient numerical wave fume was established first. Commercial software code FLUENT?, which is a state-of-the-art computer program package for modeling fluid flow and heat transfer, was used for the numerical simulation. Based on the Navier-Stokes equations for viscous, incompressible fluid and Volume of fluid (VOF) method, a numerical wave tank was developed. Dynamic meshing method was used to simulate the wavemaker, and Geo-Reconstruct scheme was used to capture and reconstruct the free surface. A wave-absorbing method employing porous medium model was proposed to act as the wave absorbing beach, which can absorb the wave energy efficiently. A series of regular waves were simulated using the proposed numerical method. Validation has been made by physical experiments. After developing the wave flume model, a cylinder, which represents the point-absorbing wave energy converter (WEC), was added into the wave flume. The hydrodynamic behavior of the WEC was studied. The numerical results were also compared with physical experiments. Based on the numerical simulation results, suggestions on optimizing the point-absorber are provided. In this study, eight wave cases, with different wave period and wave length were simulated. The results show that the numerical simulation can match well with the physical wave tank result. Both the wave height and wave period in different cases can match well between the numerical simulation and physical wave tank results. In the wave-cylinder simulation, the results also show a good match in the numerical study and physical study. This numerical model is very significant in ocean structure design. The cylinder tested in this study can be easily changed to a ship or an offshore-platform. Compared with the physical experiment, numerical simulation is more flexible. The simulation can be carried on a large time span and spatial scale. The geometry can be changed easily. Also the cost of numerical simulation is relatively cheap compared with the physical experiment. / published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76). Also available on the World Wide Web.

The objectives of this project are to show the feasibility of micro-hydropower and to provide adequate engineering data for those people who wish to design their own micro system. Nine case studies are reviewed and analyzed in an attempt to determine general design parameters. Comparative data for these studies comes from preliminary permit applications submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Information on such topics as flow measurements, heads, generators and turbine technology are presented. Duration curves are explained with examples using data from a river found in Colombia, South America. Finally, a preliminary design of a micro-hydro facility is calculated for implementation on a stream that is part of the Tennessee River Basin.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 155-163.

Thesis (MOcE)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-54). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2011. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-116). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-97). Also available on the World Wide Web.