en.Wedoany.com Reported - Researchers have systematically reviewed China's current standards for the operation of water conservancy and hydropower projects and constructed a framework for the joint operation standard system of cascade reservoir groups in river basins, encompassing three dimensions: hierarchical structure, professional categories, and functional sequences. This framework aims to provide a top-level design foundation for strengthening the strategic support of cascade reservoir groups in water security assurance and resource allocation.

China has currently built approximately 95,000 reservoir dams, with a total storage capacity exceeding 1 trillion cubic meters. The degree of hydropower development in river basins such as the Wujiang, Daduhe, Hongshuihe, upper Yangtze, and Jinshajiang has reached over 80%, while that in the Yalongjiang and upper Yellow River basins has also exceeded 70%. Cascade reservoir groups, characterized by "one reservoir with multiple stages" or "multiple reservoirs with multiple stages" centered on large-scale control projects, have been preliminarily formed. The operation mode is transitioning from single-project benefit-oriented operation to multi-objective joint operation. Major rivers such as the Yangtze and Yellow River have continuously implemented joint operation practices for cascade reservoir groups, achieving results in flood control, drought relief, and ecological protection. However, challenges remain, including difficulties in multi-objective coordination, insufficient scientific decision-making, lack of evaluation mechanisms, and inadequate interest coordination mechanisms.

Research indicates that the standardized management of water conservancy and hydropower project operation in China has evolved from being experience-based and case-specific to being scientific and standardized. Since the approval of the first national-level joint operation plan for river basin reservoir groups in 2012, relevant institutional mechanisms have been gradually established. Through a review of the National Public Service Platform for Standards Information, there are currently 24 operational standards for water conservancy and hydropower projects, including 2 national standards, 15 industry standards, 4 local standards, and 3 group standards. The standards are managed by various entities, including water resources (5 items, accounting for 20.8%), energy (11 items, 45.8%), transportation (1 item, 4.2%) authorities, local water administrative departments (4 items, 16.7%), and social organizations (3 items, 12.5%). Among these standards, single-project benefit-oriented operation accounts for 62.5% (15 items), while standards related to the joint operation of cascade reservoir groups mainly focus on single objectives such as flood control and navigation, lacking technical requirements that take the river basin as a whole and coordinate multi-objective joint operation. Additionally, national standards are few in number, were issued early, and have weak technical guidance, making it difficult to meet practical needs under the new circumstances.

Based on the above issues, researchers have proposed ideas and principles for constructing the standard system framework. Drawing on systems engineering methodology, this framework consists of three dimensions: hierarchical structure, professional categories, and functional sequences. The hierarchical structure dimension is divided into a basic general layer, a key technology layer, and a management application layer; the professional category dimension is divided into 9 major categories and 28 subcategories; the functional sequence dimension is divided into 6 major categories and 20 subcategories. The research has identified key directions for standard development, including the formulation of overarching standards such as general technical rules for the joint operation of cascade reservoir groups, as well as key technical standards and management application standards related to safety, water resource operation, ecological operation, and smart operation.

The research also proposes next steps for the construction of the standard system. In terms of pathways, it follows the principle of "filling gaps, building systems, and promoting leadership" to advance in phases; in terms of management, it plans to establish standardization demonstration zones in mature river basins such as the upper Yellow River, Jinshajiang, and Wujiang, creating a closed-loop management model of "standard development, application testing, replication and promotion, and updating and iteration." Additionally, it recommends formulating and issuing policy documents such as guiding opinions on joint operation, and promoting the integrated development of industry, academia, research, finance, application, and services. In terms of international cooperation, the research proposes strengthening collaboration with international organizations such as ISO and promoting the inclusion of Chinese standards in international frameworks like the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to enhance China's voice in this field.