Energy Efficiency Assessment of the Upper Volga and Kama Cascades of Reservoirs at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Basic information about the Upper Volga and Kama cascades of reservoirs is presented: water surface area, full and useful volume capacity, and average project power generation. The contribution of the considered cascades to the power generation of the entire Volga−Kama cascade of reservoirs is estimated. Data series have been generated on the annual inflow, discharge of water through hydroelectric facilities, and generation of electricity from 2002 to 2021, for several stations from 2004 to 2022. The relationship between the area of reservoirs and their capacity is shown, as well as the generation of electricity with the water content of individual years and periods. A relationship has been established between the inflow of water into the reservoirs and its discharge through the turbines of the hydroelectric power plants. Particular attention is paid to the Rybinsk reservoir, which performs over-year water storage. The generation of electricity in high-water, medium-water, and low-water years is calculated. The deviation of the actual electricity generation from the average design was estimated, based on which a conclusion was made about the efficiency of the hydroelectric power plants. The probability of electricity generation is determined depending on the predicted values of the river runoff.