Abstract
Cascade pumping stations (CPS) consume a large amount of energy every year in lifting districts. To obtain a reasonable and feasible operation scheme for CPS, this paper proposes an optimal operation model for CPS based on simulations. A one‐dimensional unsteady flow model of open canals was coupled with the optimal operation model of CPS, and an energy‐dominated optimization was proposed with the water level of the inlet pool as the coordinated variable. The optimization model was solved by using the catch‐up method and the nondominated sorted genetic algorithm II (NSGA‐II). The optimal operation method was validated and implemented in the first‐stage and second‐stage pumping stations of the Zuncun Irrigation Project by lifting water from the Yellow River in Shanxi province. The results showed that the proposed optimization model can reduce the energy consumption of the CPS by 4% compared with the actual operation. In addition, the optimal operation model of the CPS coupled with simulation can realize the dynamic balance of flow by stabilizing the inlet pool level to operate within a safe range. The energy consumption of the CPS can be reduced by keeping the water level of the intake pool as high a level as possible.