The Near Real-Time Optimizer (NRTO) has been developed by Synexus Global Inc. in cooperation with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

The Near Real-Time Optimizer (NRTO) is a computer application that helps optimize the scheduling of energy at hydroelectric projects on the Columbia River System. As a dispatch tool, NRTO is designed to help operators of hydroelectric projects or systems to make real-time decisions on how best to dispatch units at each project in order to satisfy specified objectives, while observing any specified constraints. The main objective is to meet one of two targets:

· a specified total project generation, or
· a specified total project flow.

The NRTO application works in concert with the Columbia Vista suite, as well as continuous real-time information from the system.

Secondary objectives, such as spinning reserve requirements and/or scheduled spill flows, may also be specified. A future option will allow the user to specify reactive power targets as well.

Now with a fully functional application, BPA’s Duty Schedulers have been undergoing advanced NRTO training, and are impressed with how user friendly the application is. Tom Murphy at Bonneville Power says “It is a great model”.