Understanding and mitigating the negative effects of dynamic river ice processes in the Manitoba Hydro system

马尼托巴水电公司（MH）拥有和运营的水力发电站为整个省提供了98%以上的能源。由于大部分发电站位于北部，MH的整个水力系统每年大约有6个月受到河冰过程的影响。这些过程可能非常复杂，通常会降低河流的流量，从而对整个MH系统的运行和效率产生负面影响。这不仅减少了MH的潜在收入，而且时间恰逢该省寒冷冬季的年度能源需求高峰。因此，MH评估和减轻河冰对其系统的负面影响至关重要。然而，由于缺乏对这些复杂过程的理解，目前许多用于模拟冰过程的模型过于简单，往往不是基于实际的流动物理。这个大型研究项目的总体目标是解决这一需求，以显著提高我们对河冰过程的理解，并将这一新知识纳入一个全面的河冰模拟模型。来自马尼托巴大学、MH、渥太华大学和克拉克森大学的研究人员将在4个主题领域进行研究，以解决MH系统内最紧迫的河冰问题：1)温尼伯湖和Jenpeg发电站之间的冰过程，2)锚冰缓解，3)冰固化过程，以及4)冰引起的湖泊储存和释放。将结合广泛的现场监测和尖端的实验室实验来收集数据，以了解这些过程。研究结果将用于开发新的和改进的方程，这些方程将被纳入一个全面的河冰模拟模型。然后，该程序将用于模拟MH系统内的关键河段，从而使他们能够预测、理解并帮助减轻影响其运营的与冰有关的问题。在整个研究过程中，将有1名博士后、18名研究生和10名本科生在河流冰工程领域接受广泛的培训。

The hydroelectric generating stations owned and operated by Manitoba Hydro (MH) provide over 98% of the energy that powers the entire Province. With the majority of the generating stations in the north, MH's entire hydraulic system is affected by river ice processes for approximately 6 months each and every year. These processes can be extremely complex, often reducing the flow capacity of the river, which negatively impacts the operation and efficiency of the entire MH system. Not only does this reduce potential revenues for MH, but the timing coincides with the peak annual energy demand in the Province during the cold winter months. It is therefore critical for MH to assess and mitigate the negative effects of river ice on their system. However, many of the models currently used to simulate ice processes are overly simplistic and often not based on actual flow physics because of the lack of understanding of these complex processes. The overarching objective of this large scale proposed research project is to address this need to significantly improve our understanding of river ice processes and to incorporate this new knowledge into a comprehensive river ice simulation model. A team of researchers from the University of Manitoba, MH, University of Ottawa and Clarkson University will undertake research in 4 themed areas to tackle the most pressing river ice issues within the MH system: 1) Ice processes between Lake Winnipeg and Jenpeg generating station, 2) Anchor ice mitigation, 3) Ice consolidation processes, and 4) Ice-induced lake storage and release. A combination of extensive field monitoring and cutting-edge laboratory experimentation will be used to collect data to understand these processes. The results will be used to develop new and improved equations that will be incorporated into a comprehensive river ice simulation model. This program will then be used to model critical river sections within the MH system thereby allowing them to forecast, understand, and help mitigate ice-related issues that affect their operations. Throughout the course of this research project a total of 1 post-doctoral fellow, 18 graduate students, and 10 undergraduate students will receive extensive training in the field of river ice engineering.