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Comment: Edit through the REST API
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Some features are not available in Source (public version).

Introduction

Operations forecasting allows you to create alternate forecasts for inflows, water demands, stream flow losses and gains (unaccounted differences) and constituents within a single overall project scenario. In other words, it forecasts the input data for a model. This is not available in Source (public version).

The Operations simulation in Source is split into two phases - the historic 'warm-up' and the forecast period. The former is designed to warm-up the network's physical models by playing all known historic data into the system and overriding modelled values where applicable. In the latter, the Operations forecast models extend historic data into the future, effectively providing an estimate of the effect to the modelled system.

To create a default operations scenario in Source:  

  • First, create a manager schematic scenario; 
  • Choose Tools » River Operations to open the River Operations dialog (Figure 1); and
  • Click on the slider below Operations Mode to ON.  

Once you have created forecast models, you can disable operations, but retain these models or overrides using the buttons under Operations Data. The first two buttons in this dialog deal with removing input data, whereas the third one deletes all output data that was created for the forecast models. To clear all operations related data (input, output as a well as overrides), click Clear ALL Operations Data.

Figure 1. River Operations

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Warming up the model
Warming up the model
Warming-up the model

Before you can begin forecasting, you must seed the model with available historical data (also known as "warming-up the model") using the Simulation toolbar:

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This opens the Run w/Warm Up dialog (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Run w/Warm Up

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Assuming a daily time-step:

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The remaining fields summarise what will occur when you complete the warm-up process. Click OK, and then Begin Analysis (Run) to begin the warm-up process.

The Constituents tab gets enabled when constituents have been configured in a scenario (its operation is similar to the Constituents tab in a single analysis run).

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Creating forecasts at nodes
Creating forecasts at nodes
Creating forecasts at nodes

Once operations has been enabled, you can configure forecast input data using under the Forecasting list relevant forecasting list item in a node's feature editor. For example, for the inflow node, choose Inflow Forecast under Additional Flow. Each of the parameters that are involved in creating forecasts handle input data differently.

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This is different to the Forecasting list item, which relates to ordering for planning and operations models.

The following forecast models extend the originally played in time series using a model. In the absence of a forecast model to generate forecast values, a default value is used, which is typically zero:

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The Unaccounted difference node and the Gauged Level unaccounted difference at the storage node forecast unaccounted difference ( forecast the possible error). The default value in the absence of a forecast model is zero. The Unaccounted Difference is a time series computed during the historic phase of the run, and is the difference between the modelled value at a point in the system and the actual historic value which has been played in at that point. In the forecast phase, applying the forecast unaccounted difference (a positive value represents a gain; a negative value, a loss) is an attempt to compensate for the known over or under estimation inherent in the model.

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Note: Unaccounted difference is named so because if the model were perfect, this would always be zero (the modelled value would match the actual values). In reality, the model does not simulate everything and this typically leads to the systematic over or under estimating of flows.

For gauged releases forecast at the storage node, by default, the modelled releases are used by outlets, except where an override value has been provided, either by direct override (using the tabular editor) or by a forecast model. A storage outlet is a physical structure which has minimum and maximum release capabilities. The outlet release forecast/override can be any value, but the model cannot physically release any amount. The forecast/override values are therefore constrained at run-time. This is why the outlet releases each have two columns in the tabular editor, the first shows the modelled value that is actually released by the storage and the second shows the forecast/override. They will be different if the outlet release has been constrained. The second column is blank in the absence of any forecast/override values and in this case, the modelled values are used. Figure 3 shows an example of this. Note that from the 01/02/2011 onwards, the outlet release has been constrained.

Figure 3. Tabular Editor, forecasting, outlet release constrained

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Forecast scenarios

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Forecast scenarios
Forecast scenarios

A collection of one or more forecasting models is known as a forecast scenario. You can define one or more scenarios for each node. For example, you might define "wet year", "dry year" and "normal year" scenarios, or variations that reflect your most optimistic or pessimistic expectations. To add a forecast scenario, right-click on the item you want to forecast in the relevant node's feature editor and choose Add Forecast Scenario (Figure 34). You can choose the input set that will be associated with a particular forecast scenario. Right click on Forecast Scenario #<number>, then choose Add Forecast Model to add a model.

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Note: Only one forecast model can be active at a point in time during the simulation.

When more than one forecast model has been assigned to a forecast scenario, they are ordered from top to bottom in the hierarchical list. The model at the top of the list runs first. You can change the order of model run by dragging the forecast model to the required position in the list. For each model, you must also specify the number of time-steps it will be active for before moving onto the next model in the list. The last model in the list always has a Time Steps value of All Remaining and will be active for the remainder of the forecast period.

Figure 3 shows a forecasting scenario (associated with Wet Input Set) with two forecast models. Both Forecast Model #1 (which will run for the first 10 time-steps) and Model #2 (which will run for the remaining time-steps) have been configured as Expression models. To change the name of a forecasting scenario or model, right-click and choose Rename. Choose Delete to remove the scenario or model.

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4 shows the Forecast item for the Inflow node. Choose the forecast model you wish to specify by clicking the appropriate forecast model under Additional Flow Forecast (on the right). The forecast model that is active at the node is indicated by a green tick on the left of the model. In Figure 4, the Trend forecast model is the active model. 

Figure 4. Inflow node, Operations forecasting

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Figure 5. Storage Routing Link, Operations forecasting

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Note: Forecast scenarios are unique to a node and must be configured individually for each node.

Forecasting models

Table 1. Forecast model types

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Forecast model type

Description

Average
Average over the last specified time-steps

Expression

User defined arithmetic expressions

Monthly Average

Daily average for the month in megalitres per day.

Time Series

Supports the inclusion of forecast data using data sources.

Trend

A single target value (either positive or negative) plus a recession rate.

Average forecast model

Allows you to define the average over the last specified number of time-steps.

Expression forecast model

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Function

Allows you to define a function to return any value you choose for each time-step in the forecast period. For example:

  • a fixed value; or
  • a fixed proportion of a variable that is available to the

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  • Function Editor.

Monthly Average

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Allows you to enter an average forecast value, in megalitres per day, to be applied for the whole of each month. You can either enter the monthly average values manually, or import the values from a .CSV file formatted as shown

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in Table 2.

To trend from "today" to the monthly average, enable

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the Trend to Value at Rate checkbox and enter a trend rate which is a real number greater than zero but less than one. The observed daily flow rate for the previous month and the number of days of the current month are used to determine the initial flow volume.

Table 2. Monthly average forecasting model (data file format)
RowColumn (comma-separated)
12
1MonthForecast Value (ML/d)
2..nmonthvalue
PulseAllows a static forecast model that is applied on a specified date and has priority over other relative forecast models if enabled. The forecast pulse flow rate is entered under the Target Flow configuration, and the pulse start and end dates are specified with the date inputs. The rate of the rise and recession of the pulse is configured by the Rate sliders or can be entered directly as value. For example, the 0.6 Rate of the Pulse Rising indicates that at each time step there is an increase of 60% in the flow volume until the Target Flow is reached..

Time Series

To specify a forecast based on a time series, you must:

  • use data sources to load a time series or scenario; and
  • specify the number of time-steps that the model will run in.

Time series are assumed to conform with the structure shown

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in Table 3. Note that any time-stamps contained in a time series are ignored. The observation in the first row of the time series is used for the first time-step of the forecast period, the observation in the second row for the second time-step, and so on, until either there are no more data rows in the time series or the simulation reaches the end of the forecast period.

Table 3. Time series forecasting model (data file format)
RowColumn (comma-separated)
12
1..ndatevalue

Trend forecast model

Trend

A single target value (either positive or negative) plus a recession rate. To specify a trend forecast, enter the target value in megalitres per day, and use the slider to specify the trend rate, which is a real number greater than zero but less than one.

Figure 6. Pulse Forecast Model

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Table 2. Monthly average forecasting model (data file format)
RowColumn (comma-separated)
12
1MonthForecast Value (ML/d)
2..nmonthvalue
Table 3. Time series forecasting model (data file format)
RowColumn (comma-separated)
12
1..ndatevalue

Viewing forecasts

The results of executing one or more forecast scenarios can be viewed using the Recording Manager or the tabular editor (to view and override individual values). Ensure that you enabled recording for the parameter that you are forecasting. For example, to forecast flow, enable recording of the Inflow attribute in the Recording Manager. Figure 4 5 shows an example of the forecasted inflow for a modeloutput of a forecasted model. This forecasting scenario consists of two forecast models. A Trend forecast model is run for the first 10 time-steps and the remaining time-steps have a Function forecast model configured.

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7. Charting tool, forecast models

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