For the hydrothermal power system

it presents the optimization method of analyzing the characteristics of interaction among hydroelectric power plants

thermal plants and spatial distribution of the system load to reveal the operation characteristic of hydrothermal power systems and the energy-saving law of power systems. On this basis

a novel optimal scheduling model was constructed to make the water resources best utilized by downstream hydroelectric plants

which can enhance the power output of cascaded hydroelectric plants. An example with cascaded hydroelectric plants and thermal plants was given. The simulation results show that the proposed optimization model can help people to make the best use of the complementary role of hydropower resources

conserving non renewable energy and promoting the sustainable and efficient utilization of energy.