Using Arduino Mega 2560 for Hydropower Dispatch Optimization

The increase in demand for electricity requires the efficient operation of power generation systems. In this context, this study presents the development of an optimization device for hydroelectric dispatch using low-cost embedded hardware, allowing joint control strategies aimed at the conservation of water resources . For this, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was implemented, with the objective of maximizing hydroelectric power generation while minimizing water use. The feasibility of the system was evaluated by simulating the dispatch process on an Arduino Mega 2560 acting as a microcontroller, with its operation compared to that of a high-performance computing platform. The results demonstrate that, despite the computational limitations inherent to the embedded systems, the proposed approach offers an effective solution for the operational planning of hydroelectric generation, providing an innovative, economical and sustainable alternative.