Using hydropower to smooth intermittent and unreliable sources of generation

This work describes, in part, the extent to which the large hydropower system on the Snake and Columbia rivers, and tributaries, could be used to ‘smooth’ or level the intermittent contributions of large numbers of wind generators, so that the sum of these contributions becomes reliable. Data for wind generators on site is given, the methods by which the ‘smoothing’ would occur is described, and a computer simulation model of the Pacific Northwest hydropower system is used to develop several case studies. The several constraints imposed on the flexibility of the hydropower system are defined by streamflow restrictions at the hydropower projects.