Modeling Reservoir System With Pumped Storage

The Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake Project is presently under construction and is being placed in tandem between Hartwell and Clark Hill, two existing multipurpose hydropower plants on the Savannah River. System operational simulations were performed in support of a feasibility study for the installation of pump turbines at Russell, using a version of the Corps of Engineers HEC-5C computer program modified for system power and pumped storage. Information developed from the simulations include system hydropower production, pumping energy requirements, daily reservoir pool fluctuations, and reservoir elevation statistics. This information was useful in judging the effects of the addition of pumped storage on system hydropower production and reservoir recreation useability, as well as in ascertaining efficient system operational methods.